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Lethality: meaning, definitions and examples

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lethality

 

[ ləˈθælɪti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in medicine

The ability of a disease or injury to cause death. Lethality is often measured by mortality rate.

Synonyms

deadliness, deadly nature, fatality.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lethality

Typically used in scientific or medical contexts to describe the potential to cause death.

  • The lethality of the new virus strain is under investigation.
  • The lethality of the poison was immediately evident.
deadliness

Often used in general contexts to describe how dangerous something is.

  • The deadliness of the weapon was frightening.
  • They didn't realize the deadliness of the situation until it was too late.
fatality

Commonly used to refer to deaths resulting from specific events, particularly in news reports or statistics.

  • The car accident resulted in one fatality.
  • The natural disaster led to numerous fatalities.
deadly nature

Usually employed to emphasize the inherent dangerous characteristics of something, often in descriptive or narrative contexts.

  • The deadly nature of the disease made it a top priority for health organizations.
  • The film highlighted the deadly nature of the assassin.

Examples of usage

  • The lethality of the virus was a major concern for public health officials.
  • The lethality of the snake's venom is well-known in the region.
Context #2 | Noun

in warfare

The capacity of a weapon or a military operation to cause death among the enemy forces.

Synonyms

deadliness, fatalness, kill power.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
lethality

Often used in scientific, medical, or technical contexts to describe the degree to which something can cause death. This term is technical and clinical in nature.

  • The lethality of the virus was higher than initially expected
  • Researchers are studying the lethality of the new drug
deadliness

Used in everyday language to describe how dangerous something is, often emphasizing high risk or severe consequences. It can be applied to diseases, weapons, or situations.

  • The deadliness of the storm took everyone by surprise
  • The deadliness of the poison made it a popular choice for assassins
fatalness

Less commonly used, often appearing in legal or formal contexts. It indicates the quality of being fatal or leading to death. It may sound somewhat old-fashioned or formal.

  • The fatalness of his injuries was evident to the medical team
  • Discussing the fatalness of the disease, the doctors were grave
kill power

Informal and often used in military or gaming contexts. This term usually refers to the effectiveness of a weapon or action in causing death.

  • The new missile's kill power is unmatched
  • Gamers praised the weapon's high kill power in the latest update

Examples of usage

  • The lethality of the new missile system is unmatched in modern warfare.
  • The increased lethality of the army's tactics caught the enemy off guard.

Translations

Translations of the word "lethality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 letalidade

🇮🇳 मृत्यु-दर

🇩🇪 Tödlichkeit

🇮🇩 letalitas

🇺🇦 летальність

🇵🇱 śmiertelność

🇯🇵 致死性 (ちしせい)

🇫🇷 létalité

🇪🇸 letalidad

🇹🇷 ölümcüllük

🇰🇷 치명성 (致命性)

🇸🇦 الفتك

🇨🇿 letalita

🇸🇰 letalita

🇨🇳 致死性 (zhìsǐxìng)

🇸🇮 letalnost

🇮🇸 dauðleiki

🇰🇿 өлім-жітім

🇬🇪 ლეტალობა

🇦🇿 letallıq

🇲🇽 letalidad

Etymology

The word 'lethality' originated from the Latin word 'letalis', meaning deadly or fatal. It has been used in various contexts throughout history, reflecting the concept of something having the potential to cause death. Over time, 'lethality' has become particularly associated with fields such as medicine, warfare, and toxicology, where the ability to cause harm or death is a key consideration.

See also: lethally.