lethal

USAGE SUMMARY

"lethal" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is capable of causing death. For example: "The venom from this particular spider is extremely lethal if not treated quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Since last July the state has opted to use just one massive dose of the sedative pentobarbital as its lethal injection, instead of a cocktail of three different drugs.

The Guardian

The federal appeals court in Atlanta ordered that the execution should be delayed for at least 30 days, while a Georgia court of appeals imposed its own stay to give the courts more time to consider the propriety of the single lethal injection as a method of killing.

The Guardian

There he addressed British and Omani troops on the equally harsh soil of the Arabian peninsula - not far from where the world's most wanted man lived until he found his lethal calling.

The Guardian

Related: Groundless anti-terror laws must go | Letters Many peers expressed concern, but when highlighting aspects of this invasive control of our universities, schools, and national institutions they seemed quite unaware that its provisions (through the Prevent policy, set up in 2011) are already having lethal effects across the country, closing down public space where freedom lives.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the most lethal missile of the night came from the man who asked whether Miliband would admit that the last Labour government had overspent.

The Guardian

The use of the term "scientific" to justify the lethal killing of whales by Japan is not supported by any marine mammal scientists that I know in the present age.

The Guardian

A dramatic spike in awareness of US police killings over the past year has put a spotlight on the use of lethal force by police and brought into sharp focus the actions of officers when confronting unarmed black men, such as Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and Eric Garner in New York City.

The Guardian

To gain insight into the use of lethal force by police, Klinger said, the public also needs data on violent encounters that turned out not to be fatal – because most police shootings aren't.

The Guardian

Japan has used a loophole in a 1986 global moratorium that allows lethal research on the mammals, but has made no secret of the fact that their meat ends up in restaurants and fish markets.

The Guardian

The committee highlights three areas of insufficient progress: lethal force cases from the 1980s and 1990s during the Troubles, retention of suspects' DNA in Northern Ireland and prisoner voting rights.

The Guardian

Seven of the nine witnesses who testified at the trial recanted their accounts before the state of Georgia killed him by lethal injection.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "lethal" when you want to emphasize the capacity of something to cause death or severe harm. It's appropriate in contexts where the potential for fatality is a key aspect.

Common error

Avoid using "lethal" to describe situations that are merely unpleasant or challenging. Overusing it can diminish its impact when describing genuinely life-threatening scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lethal" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to indicate the capacity to cause death or severe harm. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage, confirming its role in describing dangerous or deadly attributes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lethal" is a versatile adjective predominantly used to describe something capable of causing death or severe harm. Ludwig AI confirms that it follows standard grammar rules and is widely used, especially in the news and media. When using "lethal", it's best to reserve it for situations where there is a real risk of death or serious injury. Overusing it can reduce its impact. Consider alternatives such as "deadly" or "fatal" to provide nuance based on context. The word is generally neutral in register, making it appropriate for both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deadly

This is a direct synonym, focusing on the capacity to cause death.

fatal

This emphasizes the inevitability of death as an outcome.

mortal

This highlights the vulnerability to death.

life-threatening

This focuses on the immediate danger to life.

dangerous

While broader, it implies a potential for harm, including death.

destructive

This highlights the damage and devastation caused.

pernicious

Suggests a subtly harmful and destructive effect.

virulent

Implies a rapid and severe harmful effect, especially in diseases.

killing

Focuses on the action of causing death.

terminal

Describes a condition leading to death.

FAQs

How is "lethal" typically used in a sentence?

"Lethal" is most commonly used as an adjective to describe something capable of causing death or severe harm. For example, "The snake's venom is "highly lethal"".

What are some alternatives to using "lethal"?

Depending on the context, you could use synonyms like "deadly", "fatal", or "mortal". Each carries slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to use "lethal" to describe something non-physical?

While primarily used to describe physical threats, "lethal" can be used metaphorically to describe something extremely damaging, such as a "lethal combination" of factors in a business context.

What's the difference between "lethal" and "fatal"?

Both words relate to causing death, but "lethal" emphasizes the inherent capability to cause death, whereas "fatal" focuses on the outcome of death actually occurring. Something "can be lethal" without being fatal in every instance.