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

Police arrest two protesters on charges of disorderly conduct and destruction of property, but nonviolence prevails, with protesters pulling peers away from a confrontation with a taxi driver. —Steve Earley, Baltimore Sun, 10 Apr. 2025

Born in 1912 in West Chester, Pennsylvania, Rustin was raised by Quaker grandparents who instilled in him the principles of nonviolence and equality. —Sughnen Yongo, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

There’s a lot of irony packed into Cameron’s words about nonviolence when this is a guy who murdered someone in cold blood. —Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 10 Apr. 2025

Will his commitment to nonviolence lead him to leave the Russians alone? —Judy Berman, Time, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nonviolence

• violence

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