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.
While a majority were charged with nonviolent misdemeanor crimes, some were accused of conspiring to use force to resist the peaceful transfer of power. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 6 Jan. 2025 Earlier this month, Biden also commuted the sentences of 1,500 people who had been placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic and also pardoning 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes. Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 24 Dec. 2024 This month, Biden commuted the sentences of some 1,500 nonviolent federal inmates, including about three dozen who were initially processed in Michigan, allowing them to be released early. Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press, 23 Dec. 2024 Over the last 18 years of being plant-based, my reasoning for not eating any sentient being has been influenced by the Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain philosophy of ahimsa, a belief system that teaches leading a nonviolent life and respecting all living beings. Lola Méndez, Los Angeles Times, 23 Dec. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near nonviolent

Cite this Entry

“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 22 Jan. 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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