nonviolence

noun

non·​vi·​o·​lence ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: abstention from violence as a matter of principle

also : the principle of such abstention

2

a

: the quality or state of being nonviolent : avoidance of violence

b

: nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose of securing political ends

Examples of nonviolence in a Sentence

Demonstration organizers are urging nonviolence.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both men encountered resistance from a more militant faction of the movement, which began to question the efficacy of nonviolence. —Barbara Spindel, The Christian Science Monitor, 31 Oct. 2024

At the college level, Peter Levine of Tufts University hopes to see more instructors teaching nonviolence, preparing students with a constructive set of tools and methods for effecting social change. —Meg Little Reilly, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

Lewis also met James Lawson, an ally of King’s who had studied Gandhi’s doctrine of nonviolence while working as a missionary in India; by his junior year, Lewis was attending Lawson’s nonviolence workshops and participating in local sit-ins. —Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024

In 1953, Lawson joined a Methodist mission to India and devoted himself to studying Gandhian nonviolence. —Elaine Woo, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nonviolence

noun

non·​vi·​o·​lence (ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 

1

: the avoidance of the use of violence as a matter of principle

also : the principle of not using violence to achieve one's goals

2

: nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose of achieving political goals