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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:

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

From Salon Jun. 6, 2026

Four years later, an overwhelming majority of California voters approved Proposition 36, reversing a 2014 change that had commuted some nonviolent felonies to misdemeanors.

From Los Angeles Times May 29, 2026

"However, this is an extremely unusual and lengthy sentence for a first time offender who committed nonviolent crimes."

From Barron's May 15, 2026

Gov. Polis reduced her sentence to 4 years and 4.5 months, citing nonviolent crimes; she will be released on parole June 1, 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal May 15, 2026

It’s like trying to imagine any falsehood: that the sun revolves around the earth; that humans can fly; that the world is nonviolent.

From "A Heart in a Body in the World" by Deb Caletti

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