lethal

[lee-thuhl]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or causing death; deadly; fatal: a lethal dose.

   a lethal weapon;

   a lethal dose.

2. made or carried out to cause death: a lethal attack.

   a lethal chamber;

   a lethal attack.

3. causing great harm or destruction.

   The disclosures were lethal to his candidacy.

lethal

/ liːˈθælɪtɪ, ˈliːθəl /

adjective

1. able to cause or causing death

2. of or suggestive of death

Other Word Forms

• lethality noun
• lethalness noun
• lethally adverb
• hyperlethal adjective
• nonlethal adjective
• nonlethally adverb
• semilethal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lethal¹

First recorded in 1575–85; from Latin lētālis, equivalent to lēt(um) “death” + -ālis -al ¹; spelling (hence pronunciation) with -h- by association with Greek lḗthē “oblivion”; Lethe ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of lethal¹

C16: from Latin lēthālis, from lētum death

Synonym Study

See fatal.

Example Sentences

That means Australia plans to develop a larger and more lethal navy, an army that can operate better in littoral environments, a better air force, as well as more cyber and space capabilities.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Dr Chris Shepherd, an expert in ballistic wounds who has been running tests in an experimental ballistics facility at the University of Kent, said catapults could be lethal.

Read more on BBC

“A military that is sealing the border and walking the streets to fight crime is not getting ready for the lethal weapons of a great power adversary such as China or Russia.”

Read more on Salon

Crucially, this type of lethal violence is preventable.

Read more on Salon

They said the president invoked the tariffs not to raise revenue but to “rectify America’s country-killing trade deficits and to stem the flood of fentanyl and other lethal drugs across our borders.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dangerous 
• destructive 
• devastating 
• fatal 
• harmful 
• malignant 
• mortal 
• murderous 
• noxious 
• pernicious 
• poisonous 
• virulent