nonviolent

adjective

non·​vi·​o·​lent ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
: abstaining or free from violence
nonviolently adverb

Examples of nonviolent in a Sentence

He argued that nonviolent drug offenders should receive shorter sentences.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Tesla Takedown movement describes itself as a nonviolent campaign. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 25 Apr. 2025 The first step toward freedom occurred with Timothy’s prison transfer from Chino to California Men’s Colony (CMC), a minimum-security facility for elderly, nonviolent prisoners. Susannah Cahalan, Rolling Stone, 17 Apr. 2025 Legislative reforms in 2021 significantly reduced maximum penalties for a host of low-level, nonviolent crimes in Colorado’s state courts. The Denver Post, Denver Post, 12 Apr. 2025 Now, people who disagree with Musk’s role in politics are hoping to channel their emotions into something peaceful: a day of mass nonviolent protests at Tesla locations nationwide. David Ingram, NBC news, 28 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nonviolent

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonviolent was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

nonviolent

adjective
non·​vi·​o·​lent (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lənt How to pronounce nonviolent (audio)
1
: not using violence : peaceful
2
: of, relating to, or marked by nonviolence
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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