non-lethal

Definitions, parts of speech, synonyms, and sentence examples for non-lethal.

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Editorial note

So potentially non-lethal means of self defence are bad, but a weapon that can slaughter a classroom are A-okay.

Examples15

Definitions3

Parts of speech2

Quick take

Any weapon that incapacitates without causing death.

Meaning at a glance

The clearest senses and uses of non-lethal gathered in one view.

noun

Any weapon that incapacitates without causing death.

adjective

Not capable of causing death.

adjective

Designed to cause incapacitation without causing death.

Definitions

Core meanings and parts of speech for non-lethal.

noun

Any weapon that incapacitates without causing death.

adjective

Not capable of causing death.

adjective

Designed to cause incapacitation without causing death.

Example sentences

So potentially non-lethal means of self defence are bad, but a weapon that can slaughter a classroom are A-okay.

This is precisely why tasers and non-lethal weapons were invented: there are many situations were harming or incapacitating an assailant is needed without necessarily killing him.

They used what normally is non-lethal force, but because of his size and health conditions, he died.

What about a non-violent non-compliance where it's still too risky to attempt even non-lethal force?

It's not unreasonable to imagine non-lethal weapons being used with far less discretion than guns.

Why not use non-lethal force in these guns that are used in public places?

S., but you're right that it's defined that way in the American Constitution, and as giaour answers, non-lethal weapons are more strictly controlled.

If we're talking about taking the guy down with a non-lethal projectile then that's a different matter.

Tasers and pepper spray would probably not be considered non-lethal against babies.

The purpose of these non-lethal riot control methods is to destroy the power of assembly without losing the hearts and minds of the masses.

According to the police manuals, in the event of non-violent non-compliance, non-lethal force should be used such as pepper-spray or taser until compliance is gained.

They're also not guaranteed to be non-lethal; used on the wrong person, or just get an unlucky shot, and the target can still end up dead.

Quote examples

These "non-lethal" weapons are more likely to get you hurt than either disengaging entirely or engaging with a deadly weapon--to wit, one of the reasons they have officers and MPs go through CS gas/mace is to show them that they remain functional and as such they should never assume that somebody they've used a non-lethal weapon on is incapacitated.

Another way of saying "potentially non-lethal" is "lethal", and another way of saying "can slaughter a classroom" is "can be used to not slaughter a classroom".

You statement is essentially just another way to say "it's just a small matter of programming" All the technology exists for me to build a drone swarm to patrol my house constantly on the inside and out, deliver me a video stream, and to deter intruders with non-lethal force.