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 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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pacifist
G. Patrick O'Brien, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2025
Gideon Rose: How does a female civilian British pacifist end up becoming the chief adviser to the US military in Iraq?
—Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Donald Liebenson, Vulture, 14 June 2024
Such worms took on the characterization of a prankster, like the WANK (Worms Against Nuclear Killers), which plagued NASA computers with pacifist messages in 1989 and deceived users into believing their files were being deleted.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Noun
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
Gideon Rose: How does a female civilian British pacifist end up becoming the chief adviser to the US military in Iraq?
—Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2015
Adjective
Munitions manufacturers plot to oust the pacifist king of Moronika and install a dictator.
—Donald Liebenson, Vulture, 14 June 2024
Such worms took on the characterization of a prankster, like the WANK (Worms Against Nuclear Killers), which plagued NASA computers with pacifist messages in 1989 and deceived users into believing their files were being deleted.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 23 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
Noun
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Early in the third quarter, with his team leading by 1 point, Brown dove into the Celtics bench for a steal after poking the ball away from Jalen Brunson.—
Jay King,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
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The inexplicable incidents have killed mourning doves, European starlings, crows and other common backyard species.—
Sarah Kuta,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Jefferies backed into a more neutral rating on Rivian shares.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
14 May 2025
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Case in point: Hailey Bieber showed off a moody mani while attending the Fashion Trust U.S. Awards in Los Angeles, a significant change from her classic neutral glazed-donut nails.—
Fiona Embleton,
Glamour,
14 May 2025
Adjective
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Nearby, at Hatta Dam, rent a kayak and enjoy a peaceful few hours on the quiet waters, surrounded by dramatic peaks.—
Natasha Amar,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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Before our appointment at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, a peaceful retreat off the Bodega Highway in West Sonoma county, a friend and I popped into a nearby gift shop.—
Alyssa Bereznak,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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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
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Protesters were given cards with QR codes that linked to Yale University’s policies for peaceable assembly, such as keeping everyone physically safe, not blocking entrances and exits and no disruptions to the university’s operations.—
Brynn Gingras,
CNN Money,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Xi must know that old societies tend to be pacific and that China is getting old fast.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
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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 28 May. 2025.
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