pacifism
noun
pac·i·fism
ˈpa-sə-ˌfi-zəm 
1
: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
specifically
: refusal to bear arms on moral or religious grounds
For Quakers pacifism is a major tenet of belief.
2
: an attitude or policy of nonresistance
efforts toward pacifism and civil rights
Examples of pacifism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Folk and pacifism might be on brand for Bob Dylan, but the musician had quite a gravitation to throwing punches…allegedly.
—
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025
Now things were changing: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was showing that German attitudes about pacifism needed to be reconsidered.
—Malcolm Hillgartner Tanya Pérez Lance Neal, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Competition with Islam led Christians to adjust their views on pacifism and procreation: by the twelfth century, violence against Muslims was holy and the production of children to aid in the fight was, for those not required to be celibate, a Christian duty.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Mennonites are a diverse group of Christian denominations rooted in the Protestant Reformation who believe in a commitment to pacifism and nonresistance.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
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Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025
Now things were changing: Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was showing that German attitudes about pacifism needed to be reconsidered.
—Malcolm Hillgartner Tanya Pérez Lance Neal, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Competition with Islam led Christians to adjust their views on pacifism and procreation: by the twelfth century, violence against Muslims was holy and the production of children to aid in the fight was, for those not required to be celibate, a Christian duty.
—S. C. Cornell, The New Yorker, 12 Mar. 2025
Mennonites are a diverse group of Christian denominations rooted in the Protestant Reformation who believe in a commitment to pacifism and nonresistance.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifism
Cite this Entry
“Pacifism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacifism. Accessed 7 May. 2025.
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pacifism
noun
pac·i·fism
ˈpas-ə-ˌfiz-əm
: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
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