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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacifist
Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
Marchand has crossed lines by licking players, or repeatedly punching a hockey pacifist like Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin in a final series.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Such an overgrown standing army is undesirable, not on pacifist grounds, but purely from the standpoint of military efficiency.
—John Fischer, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Noun
Even before seizing national power in 1933, the Nazi Party was closely monitoring German universities through nationalist student groups and sympathetic faculty, flagging professors deemed politically unreliable – particularly Jews, Marxists, liberals and pacifists.
—Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025
Marchand has crossed lines by licking players, or repeatedly punching a hockey pacifist like Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin in a final series.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Takaichi has called for a hardline stance towards China and is also in favor of revising Japan’s pacifist constitution, especially Article 9, which renounced Japan’s right to wage war.
—Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 10 Oct. 2025
Such an overgrown standing army is undesirable, not on pacifist grounds, but purely from the standpoint of military efficiency.
—John Fischer, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
Noun
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In the end, Rosalía breaks free, transforming into a dove that takes flight.—
Luisa Calle,
Billboard,
31 Oct. 2025
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Whether Powell’s tip of the hat to the doves reflects merely a courtesy or deeper misgivings about cuts will be central to Fed analysis in the coming weeks.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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My late grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served in the pacific campaign.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But, even with this major shortcoming, my home still felt much cleaner, smelled fresher, and honestly felt even a tad bit more peaceful at the end of the day.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
2 Nov. 2025
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The footage introduces viewers to Sidney's peaceful new life with her husband (Joel McHale) and daughter (Isabel May), which is interrupted when she is once again targeted by a new killer wearing the Ghostface mask.—
Brendan Morrow,
USA Today,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Quince Italian Leather Horsebit Loafer The leather loafers come in three neutral colors, including black, tan, and white, and each features the same horsebit double-ring and gold bar on the front that’s so similar to the design of Gucci’s pair.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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Keep your back flat against the wall with your shoulders back and your head in a neutral position.—
Jakob Roze,
Health,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pacifist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifist. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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