nonviolent
Americanadjective
-
not violent; free of violence.
-
peacefully resistant, as in response to or protest against injustice, especially on moral or philosophical grounds.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of nonviolent
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.
And it’s odd to see Quaker listed so prominently as their doctrine is famously nonviolent and anti-war.
From Salon • Jun. 6, 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
Devgan-Kacker pointed to Ventura County’s agriculture industry, saying it depends on a stable workforce and that broad deportation of nonviolent residents is not a substitute for comprehensive reform of the immigration system.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
Criteria for release eligibility included having served most of a sentence for a nonviolent crime and a record of good behavior, the Catholic Herald reported.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 12, 2026
Because if they do, this nonviolent movement is over!
From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.