nonviolence

noun

non·​vi·​o·​lence ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 

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

Examples of nonviolence in a Sentence

Demonstration organizers are urging nonviolence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Lewis also met James Lawson, an ally of King’s who had studied Gandhi’s doctrine of nonviolence while working as a missionary in India; by his junior year, Lewis was attending Lawson’s nonviolence workshops and participating in local sit-ins. —Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

In 1953, Lawson joined a Methodist mission to India and devoted himself to studying Gandhian nonviolence. —Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

Pending board approval, money will also be disbursed to 14 community groups that support nonviolence initiatives, mental health concerns, and first responders, Mashek said. —Kff Health News, The Mercury News, 28 June 2024

Yet his optimism remains April 4, 2018 James M. Lawson Jr., the son of a proud Black preacher, did not always practice nonviolence. —Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nonviolence

noun

non·​vi·​o·​lence (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: the avoidance of the use of violence as a matter of principle

also : the principle of not using violence to achieve one's goals

2

: nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose of achieving political goals