nonviolent
adjective
non·vi·o·lent
ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lənt 
: 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
In 1960, civil rights leader Diane Nash helped lead a group of Black and white students in Nashville through intensive nonviolent protest training.
—
Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Johnson was convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life behind bars for her nonviolent role as part of a Memphis, Tenn., cocaine trafficking ring.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 31 May 2025
According to her attorney, Benjamin Osorio, the case stems from a single conviction in 2001 for a nonviolent embezzlement offense.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Under the new system, the vast majority of defendants accused of misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies are now cited and released, or freed under specified conditions after a judge reviews their case.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
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.
Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Johnson was convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life behind bars for her nonviolent role as part of a Memphis, Tenn., cocaine trafficking ring.
—Brian Mann, NPR, 31 May 2025
According to her attorney, Benjamin Osorio, the case stems from a single conviction in 2001 for a nonviolent embezzlement offense.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Under the new system, the vast majority of defendants accused of misdemeanors or nonviolent felonies are now cited and released, or freed under specified conditions after a judge reviews their case.
—James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for nonviolent
Cite this Entry
“Nonviolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolent. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonviolent
adjective
non·vi·o·lent
(ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lənt
1
: not using violence : peaceful
2
: of, relating to, or marked by nonviolence
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share