as in dove
a person who opposes war or warlike policies
a committed pacifist, Gandhi succeeded in bringing about Indian independence using only nonviolence
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or pacifistic
as in pacific
inclined to live in peace and to avoid war
the newspaper's editorial board has clearly staked out a pacifist position on the current conflict
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Recent Examples of pacifist
Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Every version of me is a pacifist.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
As the prisoners split between pacifistic resistance and violent revolt, the movie becomes a menacing study of oppressive coercion under capitalism.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Noun
Also in 1968, Blais worked as an assistant director on Straight to the Heart, a dramedy by Jean-Pierre Lefebvre that starred musician-actor Robert Charlebois as a pacifist brainwashed by mysterious authorities to embrace war.
—Etan Vlessing, HollywoodReporter, 4 Nov. 2025
Every version of me is a pacifist.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Takaichi has pledged to revise security and defense policies by December to bolster Japan’s offensive military capabilities, lifting a ban on weapons exports and moving further away from the country’s postwar pacifist principles.
—Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2026
As the prisoners split between pacifistic resistance and violent revolt, the movie becomes a menacing study of oppressive coercion under capitalism.
—Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
Noun
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There were undeniably some highlights in the last hour of the ceremony, namely Theron’s inexplicable presence, rapper Ghali and his wonky dove made of dancers, and of course Andrea Bocelli, looking like an extremely suave Bond villain.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2026
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The organizers of Campoamor Fashion Show, which Pérez Galcenco first walked in at age 14, were among the first to pay tribute to the young woman, with a white dove captioning a photo and video of her on a runway donning a pink Isabel Sanchis gown.—
Jami Ganz,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Olivier tried successfully to get the reader to understand how a gentle, pacific young man could come to kill more than a thousand people, and so capturing the tone and empathetic portrayal not only of Simo Häyhä and his colleagues but also of the often-bewildered Russian soldiers was essential.—
Erik Pedersen,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
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Courtesy: Apple Apple on Tuesday sent invites to the media and analysts for a launch event at its campus on September 9 at 10 A.M pacific time.—
Kif Leswing,
CNBC,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The hotel’s 240 rooms have been designed as peaceful and exclusive retreats, and yet the five-star hotel is also the island’s latest attraction.—
José Cantillo Ferrer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Feb. 2026
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The park’s two-acre freshwater lake offers peaceful fishing spots.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Piper Sandler upgrades Goosehead Insurance to overweight from neutral Piper upgraded the insurance stock following earnings.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2026
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For a quick and easy change, add this machine-washable area rug from Trisha Yearwood, featuring a unique scrollwork pattern and a pop of blue with neutral shades.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pacifist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifist. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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