Definition of nonviolence
1 : abstention from violence as a matter of principle; also : the principle of such abstention
2a : the quality or state of being nonviolent : avoidance of violenceb : 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
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Many in the student movement profess nonviolence, but Ortega sees it differently.
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Linked closely with privilege, nonviolence is a luxury not bestowed on protestors in the Black Lives Matter movement or at Standing Rock.
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Lee, who for years has lectured and mentored inmates to ease their transition back to society, was hired by the institute to take King's nonviolence message to the young men locked up in the jail.
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.
1831
First Known Use of nonviolence
1831
NONVIOLENCE Defined for English Language Learners
nonviolence
playDefinition of nonviolence for English Language Learners
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: the practice of refusing to respond to anything (such as unfair or violent acts by a government) with violence
Learn More about nonviolence
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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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