pacifist

[pas-uh-fist]

noun

1. a person who believes in pacifism or is opposed to war or to violence of any kind.

2. a person whose personal belief in pacifism causes them to refuse being drafted into military service.

adjective

1. pacifistic.

ˈpacifist

/ ˈpæsɪfɪst /

noun

1. a person who supports pacifism

2. a person who refuses military service

adjective

1. advocating, relating to, or characterized by pacifism

Other Word Forms

• antipacifist noun
• nonpacifist noun
• propacifist noun
• semipacifist adjective
• unpacifist adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacifist¹

From the French word pacifiste, dating back to 1905–10. See pacific, -ist

Example Sentences

And such a recognition wasn’t confined to pacifists but extended to policymakers.

From Salon

The student they shared an apartment with, the Wiccan pacifist without enemies, somehow seemed a convenient one.

From Los Angeles Times

German-American groups and the pacifist left both promote isolationism.

From Salon

Despite him being a vocal pacifist and critic of actions by major nations that he perceived as harmful, there were also those who felt he should have been more progressive.

From BBC

I also remember thinking that Mohsen's activism — though based on nonviolent, pacifist principles — was likely to make him a political target in a country that conflates criticism of Israel with antisemitic bigotry.

From Salon

Related Words

• peacemaker