pacifism

[ pas-uh-fiz-uhm ]

noun

1. opposition to war or violence of any kind.
2. refusal to engage in military activity because of one's principles or beliefs.
3. the principle or policy that all differences among nations should be adjusted without recourse to war.

pacifism

/ ˈpæsɪˌfɪzəm /

noun

1. the belief that violence of any kind is unjustifiable and that one should not participate in war
2. the belief that international disputes can be settled by arbitration rather than war

pacifism

1. The view that war is morally unacceptable and never justified ( see conscientious objector ). The term is sometimes applied to the belief that international disputes should be settled peacefully.

Other Words From

• anti·paci·fism noun
• pro·paci·fism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacifism¹

1905–10; < pacifisme. See pacific, -ism

Example Sentences

Some of it, historian Frank Biess explains, was simply pacifism.

From The Daily Beast

Mother goes in for public things—very strong on woman suffrage, charities, uplift, and pacifism.

From Project Gutenberg

Minding your own business leads to pacifism, malevolent neutrality, selfishness of every sort.

From Project Gutenberg

He was carrying his lily-livered pacifism right to the White House, and I couldn't see it.

From Project Gutenberg

Cramb tells us that all recent centuries have had their doctrines of pacifism, each century having its own characteristic variety.

From Project Gutenberg

The reason why pacifism is ineffectual is because it is an intellectual theory, which does not build on instinct.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• accord
• friendship
• love
• reconciliation
• truce
• unity