irenic

adjective

ire·​nic ī-ˈre-nik  -ˈrē- 

: favoring, conducive to, or operating toward peace, moderation, or conciliation

irenically

ī-ˈre-ni-k(ə-)lē 

-ˈrē-

adverb

Did you know?

In Greek mythology, Eirene was one of the Horae, the goddesses of the seasons and natural order who in the Iliad are the custodians of the gates of Olympus. According to the Greek poet Hesiod, the Horae were the daughters of Zeus and a Titaness named Themis, and each had a name indicating her function and relation to human life. Eirene (in Greek Eirēnē, meaning “peace”) was the goddess of peace. Her name gave rise to irenic and other peaceable terms including irenics (a theological term for advocacy of Christian unity), Irena (the genus name of two species of birds found in southern Asia and the Philippines), and the name Irene.

Examples of irenic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In Kennedy’s postwar America, Catholics were viewed more favorably, thanks partly to the irenic pontificate of John XXIII. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Apr. 2021

Despite his talk of unity and his irenic tone, gratitude hasn’t been a Biden strong suit. — Rich Lowry, National Review, 16 Mar. 2021

But what, specifically, do these conservatives want, besides a sense of thrill-in-combat that French’s irenic style denies them? — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 June 2019

Germany has enjoyed a long summer living well and gladly under Mrs Merkel’s irenic inaction. — The Economist, 9 Sep. 2017

Word History

Etymology

Greek eirēnikos, from eirēnē peace

First Known Use

circa 1864, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for irenic

• edenic
• hygienic
• acetylenic
• enoch
• scenic
• muscarinic
• neurasthenic
• neutropenic
• nicotinic
• unhygienic
• thrombocytopenic

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!