What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deadly
Example
The snake's venom is deadly and can kill within minutes. [deadly: adjective]
Example
The virus has spread rapidly and is now a deadly pandemic. [deadly: adjective]
Example
The assassin used a deadly weapon to carry out the attack. [deadly: adjective]
lethal
Example
The dose of the drug was lethal and caused the patient's death. [lethal: adjective]
Example
The gas leak was lethal and caused several fatalities. [lethal: adjective]
Example
The military uses lethal force to protect national security. [lethal: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deadly is more commonly used than lethal in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deadly and lethal?
Lethal has a more serious and formal connotation than deadly, and is more commonly used in technical or scientific contexts.
