pacifist 1 of 2

noun

ˈpa-sə-fist How to pronounce pacifist (audio)
Definition of pacifistnext
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

pacifist

2 of 2

adjective

variants or pacifistic
as in pacific
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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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
Noun
His father, Kenneth, was a pacifist and a conscientious objector in World War II, which made the family somewhat outcast in its small hometown. — Barbara Isenberg, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026 The Anabaptists were a radical nonconformist sect that took the egalitarian, pacifist, and renunciatory injunctions of the Bible seriously and tried to organize communal living, before being ruthlessly persecuted by the authorities and other Protestant sects. — Literary Hub, 25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
From the other side of the ideological spectrum, anti-Nazis interpreted the tolerant and pacifist spirit of the film as a rebuke to Nazi eugenics and militarism. — Thomas Doherty, HollywoodReporter, 18 July 2026 His ideas are later used to discourage violently spearing food with a knife, and instead promote the pacifist chopstick. — New York Times, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pacifist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist
  1. dove
  2. pacific
  3. peaceful
  4. neutral
Noun
  • How to Spot a Wedding Dove A white bird on its own isn’t necessarily a wedding dove, so look for a combination of clues.
    — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The memorial, which features sculptures of an angel and bronze doves, is located in a cemetery that is also home to the world’s largest Catholic mausoleum.
    — Luis Andres Henao, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of dove
Adjective
  • The majority of the industry’s bycatch is jellyfish, pacific cod, and squid.
    — Zach Helfand, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.
    — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026
Definition of pacific
Adjective
  • So on Wednesday, after a full day of quiet, more people than usual were out on the streets in Kherson, enjoying the short glimpse of peaceful life, though many said the calm still felt unsettling.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Almost two hours after polling stations closed, Vucic addressed the nation, confirming his defeat and announcing the peaceful transfer of power.
    — Chris Massaro, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of peaceful
Adjective
  • Piper Sandler downgrades Deckers to underweight from neutral The firm sees too many headwinds ahead.
    — Michael Bloom, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Although black proved to be the most popular choice, most Salomon pairs (at least those in neutral colorways) tend to go with pretty much anything, from jeans to track pants to pleated miniskirts.
    — Nuria Luis, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of neutral

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Cite this Entry

“Pacifist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pacifist. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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