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

His supporters included the USC Gould School of Law’s Post Conviction Justice Project, which represented him before the parole board, then heralded his release from prison, publicly describing Mutch as an advocate for nonviolence who had served as a mediator inside prison walls. —Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 16 Sep. 2025

The displays include the Five Pillars of Islam, the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism and a list of Hinduism’s ethical principles, which include nonviolence and truthfulness. —Daniel Arkin, NBC news, 14 Sep. 2025

May nonviolence rule our lawless time. —Ciera Bates-Chamberlain, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2025

Each pillar represented a different principle of nonviolence and featured images of King's life and work as well as the civil rights movement. —Hailey Roden, The Enquirer, 14 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nonviolence

• violence

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