nonaggressive

adjective

Definition of nonaggressivenext
as in unaggressive

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 nonaggressive Never run or make any loud noises or sudden movements, as this could startle these creatures, which are typically nonaggressive until frightened. — Madeline Nguyen, The Arizona Republic, 22 Mar. 2024 Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute Western lowland gorillas are quiet, peaceful and nonaggressive, according to the zoo. — Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 30 May 2023 The spiders are nonaggressive and bite only in self-defense, such as when someone accidentally sits on them. — Tim MacWelch, Outdoor Life, 3 May 2023 The other venomous snake native to the state, the northern copperhead, is mostly docile and nonaggressive, choosing to remain still and hidden rather than give away its position. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 Aug. 2022 See All Example Sentences for nonaggressive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonaggressive
  1. unaggressive
  2. peaceable
  3. unwarlike
  4. nonbelligerent
  5. irenic
  6. peaceful
  7. pacific
  8. neutral
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
  • This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any such is possible.
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • An American passport has, for generations, been not just a peaceable visa but a kind of holy grail—a thing valued above all other official documents.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of peaceable
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
  • 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
Adjective
  • In Kennedy’s postwar America, Catholics were viewed more favorably, thanks partly to the irenic pontificate of John XXIII.
    — The Salt Lake Tribune, 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
Definition of irenic
Adjective
  • After the peaceful march in Barcelona, some protesters started to smash storefronts of brand-name stores on Paseo de Gracia, a main shopping boulevard.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Nov. 2026
  • The violence erupted after a largely peaceful march as Spain experienced its first general strike in 14 years, with workers demanding relief from skyrocketing rents and the rising cost of living.
    — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 11 Nov. 2026
Definition of peaceful
Adjective
  • The majority of the industry’s bycatch is jellyfish, pacific cod, and squid.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • 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
Definition of pacific
Adjective
  • And that’s largely because its intentions are often assumed a priori to be politically neutral, and its origins are rarely questioned.
    — Jerel Ezell, STAT, 12 Nov. 2026
  • Still others, like the prominent organization YIMBY Action, stayed neutral.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Nov. 2026
Definition of neutral

Browse Nearby Words

nonaggression
nonaggressive
nonagricultural
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nonaggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonaggressive. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

31 Useful Rhetorical Devices

More Commonly Misspelled Words

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

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Nov. 13

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
speech-bubble-untangle
Simplify The Convoluted Expression Quiz A quiz that’s as “uncomplicated as a round de...
See All