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
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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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Example Sentences
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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
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Like the elf owl, the Socorro dove suffered heavily from cat predation and habitat loss.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
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Alana wanted to use her birthday as a commemorative day, honoring Anna with a dove release ceremony.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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Stella Jean’s striped shirts in a beautiful blue and white have always caught my eye, especially paired with eye-catching skirts, proving a striped shirt is not only a staple but also a neutral!—
Nneya Richards,
Travel + Leisure,
26 July 2025
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Fifty-one percent disapproved, while 33% were neutral.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
Adjective
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The space can be used as a peaceful private office, a crafting studio, or a gardening space replete with a potting bench.—
Clint Davis,
People.com,
20 July 2025
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And the happier, peaceful times far outweigh the difficult ones.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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Trump’s narrow nationalism does not seem more peaceable than internationalism.—
Daniel Immerwahr,
New Yorker,
16 June 2025
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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
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 29 Jul. 2025.
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