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

The letter claimed that Biden’s approach to Israel amounted to support of genocide in Gaza and was out of step with the pacifism expressed by Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse’s most famous graduate.

From Seattle Times

The petition called the invitation antithetical to the pacifism Martin Luther King Jr., a Morehouse alumnus, expressed when opposing the Vietnam War.

From Seattle Times

And he pointed to Sweden and Finland, once paragons of pacifism and neutrality but now members of Nato.

From BBC

But that never meant a full embrace of pacifism.

From Seattle Times

That her writing was so beautiful, her prose was such an achievement, and that her writing about feminism and pacifism and politics in general were “spots” on her greater contribution to literature.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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