pacifist 1 of 2

Definition of pacifistnext
as in dove
a person who opposes war or warlike policies a committed pacifist, Gandhi succeeded in bringing about Indian independence using only nonviolence

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

pacifist

2 of 2

adjective

variants or pacifistic

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of pacifist
Noun
Then, a Nobel Peace Prize Noel-Baker’s father, a successful London businessman and dedicated pacifist, put his own belief in public service into action as a member of the London County Council and, later, in the House of Commons. Amy Crawford, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026 There are nods to this history throughout, and particularly in the restaurant, Annette, which was named in tribute to Annette Kolb, the inspirational French-German writer and pacifist who lived at the original Hotel Cayré for 17 years from 1944. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The visit is framed as a response to Japan’s new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, who has shifted China’s old adversary away from its strict pacifist stance and adopted a more assertive geopolitical posture. Charlie Campbell, Time, 20 May 2026 The original short followed a young Russian artist who swapped food labels with pacifist messages in a Moscow supermarket, eventually leading to her arrest and a threat of 10-years in prison. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
Noun
  • Bartlett’s character is like a rock slab, a vestige of an ancient religion, brought to life in overlapping strips of muslin, linen, and leather in shades of dove, cream, gray, and pale blue, with his hood pulled tight around his face and his hands wrapped in mittens.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 26 June 2026
  • The deal was marked in Kolkata with a white dove release ceremony, drawing on the film’s central motif of liberation.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.
    Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Courtesy: Apple Apple on Tuesday sent invites to the media and analysts for a launch event at its campus on September 9 at 10 A.M pacific time.
    Kif Leswing, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • But Otto is the man who served as Hand of the King to Rhaenrya's father, peaceful King Viserys (Paddy Considine).
    Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 29 June 2026
  • To stop the peaceful transfer of power.
    Dick Durbin, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026
Adjective
  • The electric blue shade adds such a fun pop of color to a summer wardrobe, instantly brightening up basics like white jeans, denim shorts, or neutral trousers.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 24 June 2026
  • And perhaps most importantly, hempcrete can be carbon neutral or even carbon negative, depending on its composition.
    Amy Gunia, CNN Money, 24 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Pacifist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifist. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on pacifist

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster