lethality

[ lee-thal-i-tee ]

/ liˈθæl ɪ ti /

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noun

the capacity to cause great harm, destruction, or death:Many pathogens are self-limited by their own lethality—the host dies before it has a chance to spread the pathogen.

the likelihood of causing great harm, destruction, or death:Mutations can increase or decrease lethality, but most viruses mutate to less lethal forms.

death:Prion diseases, such as so-called “mad cow,” are characterized by neurodegeneration and lethality.

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Also le·thal·ness

[lee-thuhl-nis] /ˈli θəl nɪs/ .

Origin of lethality

lethal + -ity

Words nearby lethality

Letha, lethal, lethal chamber, lethal dose, lethal gene, lethality, lethargic, lethargize, lethargy, Lethbridge, Lethe

How to use lethality in a sentence

About an hour after the high court’s action, Hall was put to death by lethal injection in the Bureau of Prison’s facility in Terre Haute, Ind.
Supreme Court continues capital punishment trend with Barrett on the bench|Robert Barnes|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
That trio would represent the best top-end talent in the Eastern Conference and offer a lethal combination of scoring, playmaking and shooting to Steve Nash, the Nets’ new coach.
NBA free agency tracker (plus trades): Warriors acquire Kelly Oubre; 76ers trade Al Horford to Thunder|Ben Golliver|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
The Justice Department has carried out more lethal injections in the past four months than the total number the federal government executed over the previous three decades.
Orlando Hall executed after Supreme Court declined to intervene|Ann Marimow|November 19, 2020|Washington Post
However, research has found that after farmers target wolves with lethal management, the canids increasingly prey on their neighbors' livestock.
Gray wolves are leaving the endangered species list. But should they?|Ula Chrobak|November 5, 2020|Popular-Science

Patient advocates counter that too much went wrong once the virus was inside, lethal containment lapses that should have been cited by inspectors.
As pandemic raged and thousands died, government regulators cleared most nursing homes of infection-control violations|Debbie Cenziper, Joel Jacobs, Shawn Mulcahy|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
Zyklon B, a gas used by the Nazis in the death camps, is a haunting example of the rapid lethality of one form, hydrogen cyanide.
Sarin, Nitrogen Mustard, Cyanide & More: All About Chemical Weapons|Kent Sepkowitz|August 26, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the Boston bombings are still somewhat unusual for their lethality and success in America.
How U.S. Cities Can Protect Themselves Against Bombing Attacks|Michael O'Hanlon|April 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
But the volatility of the Syria situation and the lethality of the weapons involved justify such an initiative.
Seize Syria's Chemical Supply Before It's Too Late|Gil Troy|January 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
True, the study strongly demonstrates the lethality of obesity.
CDC Researchers Find Lower Mortality Rates Among Overweight People|Kent Sepkowitz|January 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
There is a lot that could be done to reduce the frequency and lethality of such crimes.
The Myths that Enable Gun Tragedies|David Frum|December 16, 2012|DAILY BEAST

lethality

Origin of lethality

Words nearby lethality

Words related to lethality

How to use lethality in a sentence