nonviolent

American

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

adjective

not violent; free of violence.
peacefully resistant, as in response to or protest against injustice, especially on moral or philosophical grounds.

Other Word Forms

nonviolently

adverb

Etymology

Origin of nonviolent

First recorded in 1915–20; non- + violent

Vocabulary lists containing nonviolent

We're not asking, we're demanding: Vocabulary from "Selma," the movie

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Florida's B.E.S.T. Common Prefixes: non-

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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.

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

The article suggested Christians should embrace nonviolent resistance and the tradition of martyrs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 26, 2026

“That nonviolent escalation leaves room for more talks, but will likely push oil prices higher in the interim.”

From MarketWatch • Apr. 12, 2026

Paul believed that the persecution of nonviolent protesters would help the cause of suffrage.

From "Votes for Women!" by Winifred Conkling

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023