nonsexual

adjective

non·​sex·​u·​al ˌnän-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl How to pronounce nonsexual (audio)
1
: not involving sex or sexual activity
a nonsexual relationship
nonsexual contact
2
: not relating to or associated with sex or the sexes
While the Y chromosome contains the genes that determine maleness and some other nonsexual characteristics, it contains fewer genes than the X chromosome.—Faith Hickman Brynie

Examples of nonsexual in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
There’s some nonsexual nudity, including brief full frontals, set in a virtual world. — Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2024 The term nonsexual nudity feels inadequate, because for some, changing in a locker room could carry a charge of eroticism. — Jacob Beckert, The Atlantic, 13 Nov. 2025 In comparison, accounts of torture of a nonsexual nature were relatively easy to collect. — Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 20 July 2024 In a nonsexual example posted Sunday, a user prompted Grok to insert a swastika onto an image of a surrealist, crying face. — Ben Goggin, NBC news, 6 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nonsexual

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1839, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonsexual was circa 1839

Rhymes for nonsexual

See All Rhymes for nonsexual

Browse Nearby Words

nonsexist
nonsexual
nonshrink
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonsexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonsexual. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

nonsexual

adjective
non·​sex·​u·​al (ˈ)nän-ˈseksh-(ə-)wəl How to pronounce nonsexual (audio)
: not sexual
nonsexual reproduction
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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