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Showing results for nonviolent. Search instead for non-violently.
Synonyms

nonviolent

American  
[non-vahy-uh-luhnt] / nɒnˈvaɪ ə lənt /

adjective

  1. not violent; free of violence.

  2. peacefully resistant, as in response to or protest against injustice, especially on moral or philosophical grounds.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of nonviolent

First recorded in 1915–20; non- + violent

Vocabulary lists containing nonviolent

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Roy would use the city attorney’s role as the prosecutor of most misdemeanor crimes to funnel nonviolent offenders into diversion programs, such as mental health treatment or vocational training.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

The nun recovered from her head injuries and the perpetrator was quickly detained, but victims and rights groups say most incidents, which are usually nonviolent, go unpunished.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 2, 2026

And it’s odd to see Quaker listed so prominently as their doctrine is famously nonviolent and anti-war.

From Salon ● Jun. 6, 2026

George Gascón, who eliminated cash bail for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies and championed rehabilitation over punitive sentencing.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 31, 2026

Hundreds of thousands of nonviolent offenders have been forced to spend decades in prison.

From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson

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