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
And that's why there's a contingent within the pro-life movement that feels very strongly that that these nonviolent acts of dissent need to be conducted.
—
Ryan Lucas, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
Proposition 47 reclassified certain nonviolent drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, with the goal of reducing incarceration rates and reallocating resources to education, mental health, and victim services.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
The rest appeared to be nonviolent offenders or people who have not committed any criminal offense other than crossing the border illegally.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
This group includes nonviolent detainees who usually are given wristbands or ankle monitors, or told to check in by telephone, so that authorities can monitor them until their immigration court dates.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 25 Feb. 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.
Ryan Lucas, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
Proposition 47 reclassified certain nonviolent drug and property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors, with the goal of reducing incarceration rates and reallocating resources to education, mental health, and victim services.
—Mark Joseph, Newsweek, 23 Feb. 2025
The rest appeared to be nonviolent offenders or people who have not committed any criminal offense other than crossing the border illegally.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 29 Jan. 2025
This group includes nonviolent detainees who usually are given wristbands or ankle monitors, or told to check in by telephone, so that authorities can monitor them until their immigration court dates.
—Russell Contreras, Axios, 25 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 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