dove

noun

ˈdəv How to pronounce dove (audio)
Definition of dovenext
1
as in pacifist
a person who opposes war or warlike policies the doves were in favor of using the surplus to improve the nation's schools and not its weapons systems

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in angel
an innocent or gentle person he's a dove who wouldn't hurt a fly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dove Monster depicts Lizzie keeping a great number of doves as her dear pets, housing them in an elaborate coop out back. — Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026 The outlet added that doves were released outside the church before guests moved inside for the ceremony. — Julia Moore, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026 Jared Bernstein, who served as chair of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Biden administration, has similarly sounded more like a debt hawk than a dove. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 19 Sep. 2026 The Lizzie Borden Story lifts Abby out of mythological passivity and puts her at the center of events, perhaps most significantly by having her kill Lizzie’s pet doves. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for dove
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dove
  1. pacifist
  2. angel
  3. sheep
  4. innocent
  5. lamb
Noun
  • Shy, nerdy and a pacifist by nature, Pavi has a personality, if one that’s still in formation.
    — Alison Herman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The digital content marketer, who describes himself as a pacifist, says this was his second attempt at emigrating.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of pacifist
Noun
  • Helen, Rob and Emily McDaniel's wood-fire-and-coal-cooking restaurant, is a cozy downtown spot that serves up chicken thighs, angel biscuits, and tomato pie.
    — Leslie Pariseau, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The memorial, which features sculptures of an angel and bronze doves, is located in a cemetery that is also home to the world’s largest Catholic mausoleum.
    — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of angel
Noun
  • Their Angora goats and Rambouillet sheep roam over the land, stopping at a network of water troughs.
    — Rebecca Santana, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The sheep references our family’s English shepherding heritage.
    — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of sheep
Noun
  • On that terrible day, millions of Americans witnessed airplanes flying into buildings, people jumping off skyscrapers, and the Twin Towers collapsing with thousands of innocents inside.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Night Court will not stand idly by while innocents are attacked.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Noun
  • There is always a vegetarian option, but this really is a place for ardent carnivores, who are encouraged each evening to watch as Patagonian lambs (or other regional produce) are cooked over an open fire in a smoky room by the kitchen.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Other disputes are minor, like the three animal rights activists who stole lambs from King Charles’ Sandringham estate.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of lamb

Browse Nearby Words

dousing
dove
dovecote
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Cite this Entry

“Dove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dove. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on dove

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dove

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