nonviolence

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

|Updated on: 5 Jul 2018

Examples: nonviolence in a Sentence

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 grandson of Mahatma Gandhi discusses his philosophy of nonviolence in an increasingly violent world.

— hal boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Caylee Anthony: Belvin Perry discusses toddler's story," 20 June 2018
Dorothy Cotton, who worked closely with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., taught nonviolence to demonstrators before marches and calmed tensions by singing church hymns, died June 10 at a retirement community in New York.

— kansascity, "In memoriam through June 15: Civil rights activist Dorothy Cotton, Neal Boyd of ‘AGT’," 15 June 2018
The movement -- which is committed to nonviolence -- is demanding authorities respond to accusations of involvement in the death and disappearance of hundreds of Pashtuns in FATA, and guarantee rights for the area's tribes.

— sophia saifi and bard wilkinson, CNN, "Pakistan dismantles troubled tribal regions," 25 May 2018
Younger, more militant black spokesmen who had spurned King’s commitment to nonviolence and peaceful negotiation proceeded to stoke outrage over the slaughter of someone so un-menacing and well-intentioned.

— 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
Randa, who was a junior in college when Kennedy was slain, emulated his messages of nonviolence and social justice, channeling them into a life of activism and the founding of the Peace Abbey and the Life Experience School in Millis.

— emily williams, BostonGlobe.com, "Marchers recall how Robert F. Kennedy touches their lives still," 7 June 2018
After King’s death, riots and looting broke out across the country and calls for nonviolence were drowned out by the sounds of gunfire and water cannons.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "Dream had become a nightmare for MLK in the last year of his life," 28 Mar. 2018
It was based on nonviolence, which is fascinating to me.

— john williams, New York Times, "Tell Us 5 Things About Your Book: An Escape From Impending War Into the Unknown," 6 May 2018
An Anchorage man is accused of spraying a nonviolence training at a Spenard church last weekend, leaving scores of participants injured.

— zaz hollander, Anchorage Daily News, "APD seeking ‘possibly armed and dangerous’ man in connection with weekend pepper spray incident," 26 Apr. 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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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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