lethal

le-thal · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Sufficient to cause death; deadly.

  2. 2.

    Extremely harmful or destructive.

  3. 3.

    (informal) Very effective or impressive in a threatening way.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    lethal injection — a method of execution by injecting fatal drugs
  • •
    lethal weapon — a weapon capable of causing death
  • •
    lethal force — force intended or likely to cause death
  • •
    lethal combination — a mixture of factors that together cause disaster

Related words

Antonyms: benign, harmless, safe
See also: dangerous, deadly, fatal, mortal, toxic
Synonyms: deadly, fatal, mortal, murderous

Etymology

From Latin letalis ("deadly"), from letum ("death"). The word entered English in the 17th century through medical and legal usage.