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
Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 20 June 2024
Rankin was a lifelong pacifist who campaigned for social and electoral reform.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Charli Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2011
Snufkin’s instruments are particularly crucial to the pacifist game’s main conflict — destroying the Park Keeper’s tidy parks.
—Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Noun
The official synopsis reads: When a pacifist is called to a political act that could change the course of history, how will a man of honor respond?
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 20 June 2024
Rankin was a lifelong pacifist who campaigned for social and electoral reform.
—Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Jeane Kirkpatrick, President Ronald Reagan’s foreign policy adviser and later U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was never known for pacifist views.
—Charli Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 28 Mar. 2011
Snufkin’s instruments are particularly crucial to the pacifist game’s main conflict — destroying the Park Keeper’s tidy parks.
—Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
Noun
-
This note below has a drawing of Francis with a peace sign, flowers and doves.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Bongiovi posted a clip of the couple releasing two white doves off the back of a yacht in a sunny location.—
Kirsty Hatcher,
People.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Its notably neutral Tokyo style is a particular favorite among the Vogue Shopping team.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Plus, there’s a beige and ivory shade for anyone who wants a more neutral base.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The Vatican said the pope had a peaceful night and was up, sitting in his armchair on Wednesday receiving therapy.—
Trisha Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2025
-
The Vatican said the pope had a peaceful night and left his bed to sit in an armchair on Wednesday.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
For decades in the United States, scientists and government officials have coexisted in a mostly peaceable and productive symbiosis.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
-
That's because the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and peaceable assembly are fundamental protections of our ability to criticize public officials.—
John Yoo and John Shu,
Newsweek,
24 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Their latest, limited-edition scent is called Sanctuary and lifts inspiration from Palo Santo, a small town along the pacific coast of Mexico.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes,
3 Jan. 2025
-
Xi must know that old societies tend to be pacific and that China is getting old fast.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
23 Dec. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Pacifist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifist. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share