nonfatal

adjective

non·​fa·​tal ˌnän-ˈfā-tᵊl How to pronounce nonfatal (audio)
Synonyms of nonfatalnext
: not causing death : not fatal
nonfatal infections
a nonfatal wound

Examples of nonfatal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The allegations in the federal indictment mirror those brought by Minnesota officials, who have separately charged Castro with assault and false reporting of a crime related to the nonfatal shooting of Sosa-Celis. — Valerie Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026 The officer, Christian Castro, is charged in connection with a nonfatal shooting in Minneapolis. — Mateo Rosiles, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 Homicides, nonfatal shootings, carjackings and business robberies have all dropped in 2026 compared to 2025 data. — Monroe Trombly, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Aug. 2026 Those cohort studies showed about a 30% higher risk for both fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular outcomes after statins were discontinued in people 65 and older in the Italy study and 75 and older in the Denmark one. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 11 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonfatal

Word History

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonfatal was in 1854

Rhymes for nonfatal

See All Rhymes for nonfatal

Browse Nearby Words

nonfat
nonfatal
nonfattening
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonfatal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonfatal. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Medical Definition

nonfatal

adjective
non·​fa·​tal -ˈfāt-ᵊl How to pronounce nonfatal (audio)
: not fatal
nonfatal infections

More from Merriam-Webster on nonfatal

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for nonfatal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All