1. in a manner that is harmful but not deadly; below the level that causes death
Usage: scientific; medical

Examples

• The pesticide affected the insects sublethally, reducing their reproduction rates.
• Researchers exposed the fish sublethally to test long-term effects.
• The drug was administered sublethally to study its impact on behavior.
• Pollution can sublethally harm wildlife populations over time.
• The toxin worked sublethally, weakening the organism without killing it.
• Scientists measured how the chemical sublethally impacted cell function.