nonviolence

[non-vahy-uh-luh ns]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR nonviolence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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

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.

Compare passive resistance.

Origin of nonviolence

First recorded in 1915–20; non- + violence

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for non-violence

pacification, pacifism, passiveness, passivity, nonviolence

Examples from the Web for non-violence

Contemporary Examples of non-violence

In 1960, he was the first African to receive the peace prize, and like King, he believed strongly in non-violence.
Martin Luther King’s Nobel Speech Is an Often Ignored Masterpiece
Malcolm Jones
October 16, 2014
Non-violence for Mandela was not a principle but rather a tactic.
Mandela and My Son
Yousef Munayyer
December 6, 2013
I see little difference between their activities and my struggle for peace, non-violence, and tolerance.
Jailed Egyptian Blogger Calls Out to U.S.
Maikel Nabil Sanad
June 25, 2011
He had tens of thousands of devoted, Muslim followers—all committed to non-violence.
The Palestinians' Secret Weapon
Matthew McAllester
June 17, 2010

Historical Examples of non-violence

But I do admit that they do not believe in my doctrine of non-violence to the full extent.
Freedom's Battle
Mahatma Gandhi
With me non-violence is part of my religion, a matter of creed.
Freedom's Battle
Mahatma Gandhi
It would probably be better to call it "non-violence by necessity."
Introduction to Non-Violence
Theodore Paullin
His commitment to human rights, peace and non-violence stands as a monument to his humanity and courage.
Complete State of the Union Addresses from 1790 to 2006
Various
To the pacifist who holds such a position, non-violence is imperative even if it does not work.
Introduction to Non-Violence
Theodore Paullin

British Dictionary definitions for non-violence

nonviolence

noun

abstention from the use of physical force to achieve goals

Derived Formsnonviolent, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for non-violence

also nonviolence, 1831, from non- + violence. Gandhi used it from 1920.