Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective lethal differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of lethal are deadly, fatal, and mortal. While all these words mean "causing or capable of causing death," lethal applies to something that is bound to cause death or exists for the destruction of life.

lethal gas

When is deadly a more appropriate choice than lethal?

The words deadly and lethal can be used in similar contexts, but deadly applies to an established or very likely cause of death.

a deadly disease

When could fatal be used to replace lethal?

Although the words fatal and lethal have much in common, fatal stresses the inevitability of what has in fact resulted in death or destruction.

fatal consequences

When might mortal be a better fit than lethal?

While in some cases nearly identical to lethal, mortal implies that death has occurred or is inevitable.

a mortal wound

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of lethal Neither are the most lethal shooting teams from deep, with Houston 13th and Memphis 15th in made 3s per game. Kelly Iko, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025 The executioner who initiates the flow of lethal chemicals into Tanzi's body then enters the room to begin the state's three-drug protocol — beginning with etomidate, an anesthetic, followed by rocuronium bromide, a paralytic, and potassium acetate, which will induce cardiac arrest. Raja Krishnamoorthi, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Apr. 2025 And the notion that the administration’s allies in Silicon Valley can quickly produce large numbers of nimble, affordable, and lethal next generation weapons that will give America a decisive edge should be treated with a large grain of salt. William Hartung, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 Michael Tanzi, now 48, is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 6 p.m. at a state prison in Raiford. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lethal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for lethal
Adjective
  • The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating what led to the deadly incident.
    Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Trump has attempted to crack down on pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza, which has caused a humanitarian crisis in the enclave and followed a deadly October 2023 attack by Islamist group Hamas.
    Steve Holland and Kanishka Singh, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Across all suicide attempts not involving a firearm, only 4% result in death; but for firearm suicide, approximately 90% of attempts are fatal.
    Alyssa Goldberg, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2025
  • How Many Aviation Crashes Were There in 2024? NTSB data shows that throughout 2024, there were 1,199 aviation incidents and accidents, 180 of which were fatal.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Though gorgeous with color, azaleas are poisonous to animals and humans when ingested.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Every part of the pong pong tree is poisonous, but the leaves and barks aren’t as potent as the seeds.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 7 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Lethal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/lethal. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on lethal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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