nonviolence

noun non·vi·o·lence \ ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

Definition of nonviolence

1 : abstention from violence as a matter of principle; also : the principle of such abstention

2 a : the quality or state of being nonviolent : avoidance of violence

b : nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose of securing political ends

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Examples of nonviolence in a Sentence

Demonstration organizers are urging nonviolence.

Recent Examples of nonviolence from the Web

The assassination — a harsh betrayal of King’s belief in nonviolence — devastated the hopes of a generation.

— terence mcardle, Washington Post, "MLK was dead. Cities were burning. Could James Brown keep Boston from erupting, too?," 5 Apr. 2018
In this context, his own stern insistence on strict adherence to the doctrine of nonviolence met with growing disdain among a younger generation of black leaders.

— james c. cobb, Smithsonian, "Even Though He Is Revered Today, MLK Was Widely Disliked by the American Public When He Was Killed," 5 Apr. 2018
This is King navigating hecklers, cynics, and detractors; fighting for the gospel of nonviolence amid bloody uprisings in cities across America, and against the rising tide of black power, as espoused by younger leaders like Stokely Carmichael.

— julia felsenthal, Vogue, "HBO’s King in the Wilderness Takes On Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Last Act," 30 Mar. 2018
That trip exposed profound differences of opinion with Stokely Carmichael, the head of the Student NonViolent Coordinating Committee, or SNCC, who emphasized black power and in no way believed in nonviolence as a moral imperative the way King did.

— kenneth turan, latimes.com, "HBO documentary 'King in the Wilderness' is a powerful look at the last years of Martin Luther King Jr.'s life," 29 Mar. 2018
The shooting death of the nation’s foremost proponent of nonviolence helped spur Congress to pass the Gun Control Act of 1968.

— rachel aviv, The New Yorker, "Honoring Martin Luther King, Jr., Fifty Years After His Death," 10 Feb. 2018
The next day, more than 1,000 students walked out of North Division High School to attend a memorial service at St. Boniface Church, where Father James Groppi urged them to adhere to King’s philosophy of nonviolence.

— greg borowski, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Editor's Note: A look at Milwaukee 50 years after death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.," 23 Mar. 2018
Activists such as John Lewis, a King contemporary who was beaten severely during the civil rights struggle, still believe nonviolence is the key to lasting change and liberation.

— the tylt, NOLA.com, "Is violent resistance ever justified?," 1 Mar. 2018
Activists such as John Lewis, a King contemporary who was beaten severely during the civil rights struggle, still believe nonviolence is the key to lasting change and liberation.

— anna beahm, AL.com, "Charges added to former Dothan school resource officer," 28 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'nonviolence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of nonviolence

1831

NONVIOLENCE Defined for English Language Learners

nonviolence

noun

Definition of nonviolence for English Language Learners

: the practice of refusing to respond to anything (such as unfair or violent acts by a government) with violence

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Spanish Central: Translation of nonviolence Nglish: Translation of nonviolence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of nonviolence for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about nonviolence

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