irenic

adjective

Definition of irenicnext
as in nonaggressive

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 irenic In Kennedy’s postwar America, Catholics were viewed more favorably, thanks partly to the irenic pontificate of John XXIII. — The Salt Lake Tribune, 20 Apr. 2021 Despite his talk of unity and his irenic tone, gratitude hasn’t been a Biden strong suit. — Rich Lowry, National Review, 16 Mar. 2021 But what, specifically, do these conservatives want, besides a sense of thrill-in-combat that French’s irenic style denies them? — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 7 June 2019 Germany has enjoyed a long summer living well and gladly under Mrs Merkel’s irenic inaction. — The Economist, 9 Sep. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for irenic
  1. nonaggressive
  2. peaceable
  3. unaggressive
  4. unwarlike
  5. peaceful
  6. pacific
  7. nonbelligerent
Adjective
  • These solitary, nonaggressive bees use small pieces of leaves to build their nests, causing only cosmetic harm to the plant.
    — Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
  • In the second group, the children were exposed to a nonaggressive model who played in a quiet manner with other toys but ignored the doll.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 May 2026
Definition of nonaggressive
Adjective
  • These behaviors make having a productive discussion or peaceable relationship untenable.
    — R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 3 July 2026
  • With no discernable reason beyond intimidation, Hasner approved this staggering waste of taxpayer funds, stifling the First Amendment right of peaceable assembly.
    — Karen J. Leader, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2026
Definition of peaceable
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, dogs that lose fights or are seen as unaggressive are killed, oftentimes in heinous fashion, with many cases involving dogs being electrocuted, hung or beaten to death.
    — Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Time flowed differently, and my vision felt soft and the world around me pure and unaggressive.
    — Gary Shteyngart, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025
Definition of unaggressive
Adjective
  • Here a civilian leader is shown in an unwarlike pose, seated, with a thoughtful and resolute expression—an icon of responsibility.
    — Adam Kirsch, WSJ, 1 Oct. 2021
Definition of unwarlike
Adjective
  • After decades of relatively peaceful seas, cargo vessels have become high-priority targets, getting damaged, sunk or seized with abandon.
    — Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Even a short, narrow stream can create a peaceful effect as the water trickles and gurgles along.
    — Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of peaceful
Adjective
  • National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026
  • These conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane development, whereas the eastern and central Pacific hurricane seasons are typically more active during strong El Niño events.
    — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026
Definition of pacific
Adjective
  • For not wanting to be nonbelligerent by naming the terms for belligerence.
    — Solmaz Sharif, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022
  • Over time, such cooperation could gradually acclimate Arab peoples to a nonbelligerent stance toward Israel.
    — Charles Krauthammer, Twin Cities, 30 May 2017
Definition of nonbelligerent

Browse Nearby Words

ireful
irenic
ires
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Irenic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/irenic. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of anecdote

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
fridge-magnet-letters
Drop a Letter Quiz August 2026 Drop a letter from a word to make a totally diffe...
See All