pacifism
noun
pac·i·fism
ˈpa-sə-ˌfi-zəm 
1
: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
specifically
: refusal to bear arms on moral or religious grounds
For Quakers pacifism is a major tenet of belief.
2
: an attitude or policy of nonresistance
efforts toward pacifism and civil rights
Examples of pacifism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, both rejected their violent Roman masculinity in favor of Christian pacifism.
—
Sarah Barringer, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Minervini, who moved to New York just months before the Sept. 11 attacks, isn’t interested in lecturing us on pacifism.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Lula insists on pacifism in an idealistic way that is unusual among world leaders.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 8 May 2025
In other words, pacifism doesn’t mean that parents can’t set boundaries.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifism
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.
Sarah Barringer, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Minervini, who moved to New York just months before the Sept. 11 attacks, isn’t interested in lecturing us on pacifism.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Lula insists on pacifism in an idealistic way that is unusual among world leaders.
—Jon Lee Anderson, New Yorker, 8 May 2025
In other words, pacifism doesn’t mean that parents can’t set boundaries.
—Gail Cornwall, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pacifism
Cite this Entry
“Pacifism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacifism. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pacifism
noun
pac·i·fism
ˈpas-ə-ˌfiz-əm
: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share