What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
unlethal
Example
The police used unlethal force to control the crowd. [unlethal: adjective]
Example
The new stun gun is unlethal but still effective in subduing suspects. [unlethal: adjective]
innocuous
Example
The spider may look scary, but it is actually innocuous and harmless. [innocuous: adjective]
Example
His joke was innocuous and did not offend anyone. [innocuous: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Innocuous is more commonly used than unlethal in everyday language. Innocuous is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while unlethal is a more technical term that is less common in everyday speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between unlethal and innocuous?
Both unlethal and innocuous are relatively formal words, but innocuous is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.