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
Neither are the most lethal shooting teams from deep, with Houston 13th and Memphis 15th in made 3s per game.
—
Kelly Iko, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
And the notion that the administration’s allies in Silicon Valley can quickly produce large numbers of nimble, affordable, and lethal next generation weapons that will give America a decisive edge should be treated with a large grain of salt.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Michael Tanzi, now 48, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at a state prison in Raiford.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Kelly Iko, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025
And the notion that the administration’s allies in Silicon Valley can quickly produce large numbers of nimble, affordable, and lethal next generation weapons that will give America a decisive edge should be treated with a large grain of salt.
—William Hartung, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Michael Tanzi, now 48, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at a state prison in Raiford.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
-
As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point following a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has publicly offered Tehran's assistance in mediating the crisis.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
-
However, fewer than five minutes into Casten’s address, a protester with a megaphone stood up and shouted frustrations about U.S. military assistance to Israel in its deadly attacks on Gaza residents during their war with Hamas.—
Olivia Stevens,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Across all suicide attempts not involving a firearm, only 4% result in death; but for firearm suicide, approximately 90% of attempts are fatal.—
Alyssa Goldberg,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
-
That stretch proved to be fatal for the Heat, as the Cavaliers extended their lead to nine with 16.9 seconds to play and put the game away before Miami scored again following this rough late-game span.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Though gorgeous with color, azaleas are poisonous to animals and humans when ingested.—
Ashlyn Needham,
Southern Living,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Every part of the pong pong tree is poisonous, but the leaves and barks aren’t as potent as the seeds.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share