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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
or pacifistic
as in neutral
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
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 pacifist
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The anti-expansionist response united pacifists, abolitionists and a variety of religious and literary figures, helping deepen the divides that would lead to the Civil War.
—G. Patrick O'Brien, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, a visiting company of the pacifist fake Irish Travelers called the Tuatha’an have sought refuge in the village too, and Perrin’s counting on these non-fighters to run the town’s children to safety.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Noun
Shoshone chief Winter Bird (Irene Bedard) is a pacifist dealing with young braves too eager to fight.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 Jan. 2025
The anti-expansionist response united pacifists, abolitionists and a variety of religious and literary figures, helping deepen the divides that would lead to the Civil War.
—G. Patrick O'Brien, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
Before the Japanese government released its national security strategy policy guidelines in 2022, Japan's defense budget was limited to only 1 percent of GDP, or 5 trillion yen ($35 billion), by its constitution, which renounces war and puts the country on a pacifist course.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025
Meanwhile, a visiting company of the pacifist fake Irish Travelers called the Tuatha’an have sought refuge in the village too, and Perrin’s counting on these non-fighters to run the town’s children to safety.
—Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
Noun
-
The remaining countryside is sparsely populated, and the pastoral mix of farmlands, marshes and eucalyptus plantations creates an ideal blend of habit for several varieties of game birds to thrive including the tinamou, doves, pigeons and many species of ducks.—
Chris Dorsey,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
-
The Italian driver then set his sights on putting pressure on Verstappen and looked to be a threat before the Red Bull driver (twice) dove into the pits.—
Madeline Coleman,
New York Times,
17 June 2025
Adjective
-
These full-size fragrances, which can also be purchased at the hotel’s front desk, include options that leans more feminine, one that is gender neutral, and one that leans more masculine.—
Sherrie Nachman,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Goldman Sachs started Circle with a neutral rating but acknowledged the stablecoin issuer is a special company with big opportunities ahead.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
Iran has long maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful, and U.S. intelligence agencies have assessed that Tehran is not actively pursuing a bomb.—
Jon Gambrell,
Fortune,
26 June 2025
-
My students said these are small, unexpected spots that provide an excellent opportunity for a quiet, peaceful break, to be present, whether enjoyed alone or with a friend.—
Eric Zillmer,
The Conversation,
25 June 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s narrow nationalism does not seem more peaceable than internationalism.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
-
If anything, the scale of the Second World War and the advent of the atom bomb made the quest for a peaceable international order more urgent than ever.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Xi must know that old societies tend to be pacific and that China is getting old fast.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
-
Their awards show is today, Saturday, at 12 noon pacific time.—
Charlie Fink,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pacifist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifist. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share