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

For decades after the war, Germany’s attempts to atone for that history through a deep commitment to pacifism obliged defense companies to keep a low profile, avoiding sponsorships and splashy ad campaigns. —Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026

That domestic tension over Japan’s postwar pacifism surfaced in parliament this week, when an opposition lawmaker questioned Takaichi’s push to loosen restrictions on arms exports. —Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 19 Mar. 2026

None of this requires pacifism. —Kenneth Zagacki, Sun Sentinel, 17 Mar. 2026

Thus, to be real peace-makers, whether Christian or not, responsible leaders need to be aware that the approach of pacifism often paves the way for dictators and despots to inflict more and more violence. —Bill Keane, Hartford Courant, 15 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French pacifisme, from pacifique pacific

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pacifism

• autism
• fascism
• racism
• sikhism
• statism
• sufism
• thomism
• tourism
• tropism
• abolitionism
• aldosteronism
• americanism

Kids Definition

pacifism

noun

pac·​i·​fism ˈpas-ə-ˌfiz-əm 

: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes

pacifist

-fəst 

noun