as in deadly
likely to cause or capable of causing death
we were lucky that the snake's venom wasn't lethal, and our friend turned out to be all right
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of lethal
Overall, the use of less-lethal weapons rose 57% last year, while instances of officers pointing guns at suspects dropped 18%.
—
Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
Investigators testified that Eric Richins had more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
The autopsy revealed Eric Richins died of a fentanyl overdose, with roughly five times a lethal dose in his blood.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Prosecutors also displayed the internet search history from Richins’ phone, which included queries about the lethal dose of fentanyl, luxury prisons and how poisoning is marked on a death certificate.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Idaho Statesman, 13 May 2026
Investigators testified that Eric Richins had more than five times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 13 May 2026
The autopsy revealed Eric Richins died of a fentanyl overdose, with roughly five times a lethal dose in his blood.
—Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 13 May 2026
Prosecutors also displayed the internet search history from Richins’ phone, which included queries about the lethal dose of fentanyl, luxury prisons and how poisoning is marked on a death certificate.
—ABC News, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
-
Hassane spoke at the afternoon news conference about the deadly attack at his institution this morning, decrying the conditions that could create such violence.—
Dennis Romero,
NBC news,
19 May 2026
-
The most severe form of Legionella bacteria infection leads to Legionnaires’ disease, a serious and potentially deadly type of pneumonia, the CDC says.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Graham himself would also be out of luck if past Trump criticism were always politically fatal.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
19 May 2026
-
Moments after a security guard broke up the beating and the teenagers scattered, the 13-year-old came upon David and his girlfriend at the fountain plaza next to the theaters where the fatal stabbing took place.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Health officials urged anybody who may have eaten a poisonous mushroom to seek medical care immediately and contact the California Poison Control Hotline.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
Anyone who may have eaten a poisonous mushroom should seek medical care immediately and contact the California Poison Control Hotline at 800-222-1222.—
Tim Fang,
CBS News,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
