irenic

American  

[ahy-ren-ik, ahy-ree-nik] / aɪˈrɛn ɪk, aɪˈri nɪk /

Also irenical or eirenic

adjective

1. tending to promote peace or reconciliation; peaceful or conciliatory.

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irenic British  

/ aɪˈriːnɪk, -ˈrɛn- /

adjective

1. tending to conciliate or promote peace

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Other Word Forms

• irenically
  adverb
• nonirenic
  adjective
• nonirenical
  adjective
• unirenic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of irenic

First recorded in 1860–65; from Greek eirēnikós, equivalent to ( eirḗn(ē) ) “peace” + -ikos -ic

Explanation

The adjective irenic describes something that is peaceful. Although you and your sister constantly fought as young children, your relationship might become more irenic as you grow older. The word irenic is from the Greek word eirēnē, which means peace. Eirene was the Greek goddess of peace. She was one of the Horae, or Hours, and she also represented the season of spring, so she is often depicted holding a full cornucopia. Today, the adjective irenic still maintains its peaceful meaning, and governments are continuously searching for irenic solutions to world problems.

Example Sentences

Respond with irenic understanding, and you’re treating her as a patient or a puppet, someone acted upon and controlled by larger forces.

From New York Times • Mar. 15, 2022

The light filtering through the front door toward which Melrose walks is redemptive, the opening bars of Blur’s “Tender,” which accompany him, suitably irenic.

From The New Yorker • Jun. 22, 2018

He was, if you’ll pardon the expression, positively irenic.

From New York Times • Aug. 28, 2011

As for tall, irenic Princess Gabriella in her villa bedroom filled with toy stuffed animals -like many a lovely princess before her. she would be expected to marry whomever her queen mother tells her to.

From Time Magazine Archive

He and his followers were bitterly assailed, but his irenic spirit did not forsake him.

From The World's Great Sermons, Volume 01 Basil to Calvin by Kleiser, Grenville