nonviolence

American  

[non-vahy-uh-luhns] / nɒnˈvaɪ ə ləns /

noun

1. absence or lack of violence; state or condition of avoiding violence.

2. the policy, practice, or technique of refraining from the use of violence, especially when reacting to or protesting against oppression, injustice, discrimination, or the like.

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nonviolence British  

/ nɒnˈvaɪələns /

noun

1. abstention from the use of physical force to achieve goals

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Other Word Forms

• nonviolent adjective

Etymology

Origin of nonviolence

First recorded in 1830–35; nonviolence def. 2 was brought into prominence by Mahatma Gandhi in 1920–25, and again by Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1955–60; non- + violence; possibly a loan translation of Sanskrit ahiṃsā; ahimsa ( def. )

Example Sentences

The nonviolence resulted from the organizers’ message to, and training for, rally attendees.

From The Wall Street Journal

China also has a long history of vegetarian cuisine that is strongly influenced by Buddhism, which preaches nonviolence and doing no harm.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Embracing people and making people feel comfortable and like they belonged is nonviolence in an interpersonal way, and he practiced that,” Minato said.

From Los Angeles Times

“Walking as public witness, we will unite in prayer, nonviolence, and unwavering solidarity with our immigrant neighbors,” the group said.

From Los Angeles Times

In comments last week, Sheinbaum has embraced nonviolence as a daily mantra, citing the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela and Cesar Chavez.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pacification
• pacifism