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# less-lethal weapon

phrase (noun phrase: a less-lethal weapon, less-lethal weapons; also less-than-lethal)

«less-lethal weapon» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

(euphemism, official) a weapon such as a Taser, rubber bullet or pepper spray, meant to stop people without killing them — though it can still injure or kill.

### In the lessons

Used by police and governments to make such weapons sound safe. The older term «non-lethal» was replaced because these weapons sometimes do kill. Register: official, police jargon; all regions.

### Examples

- Police used less-lethal weapons to break up the crowd.
- News: A man was badly hurt by a less-lethal weapon.
- Officers carry a Taser as a less-lethal weapon.
- Report: Less-lethal does not mean harmless.
- Chat: «less-lethal» = it can still kill you
- Rubber bullets are a less-lethal weapon.

### Note

«Less lethal» means less likely to kill, not safe. Plain words: a weapon not meant to kill, but which can.