nonviolence

[ non-vahy-uh-luhns ]

/ nɒnˈvaɪ ə ləns /

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See 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.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Compare passive resistance.

Origin of nonviolence

First recorded in 1830–35; 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; see origin at ahimsa

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use nonviolence in a sentence

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|DAILY BEAST
Non-violence for Mandela was not a principle but rather a tactic.
Mandela and My Son|Yousef Munayyer|December 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The Palestinians on the hillside vowed to maintain non-violence.
Obama's Presence Shields Palestinian "Anti-Settlement," For Now|Ali Gharib|March 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
I know now that those rocks were an odd, twisted kind of violent non-violence.
The First Intifada In Retrospect|Emily L. Hauser|December 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
Doubt has, however, been expressed in some quarters about the soundness of the principle of non-violence.
Freedom Through Disobedience|C. R. (Chittaranjan) Das
If non-violence is essential in our dealings with Government, it is more essential in our dealings with our leaders.
Freedom's Battle|Mahatma Gandhi
The people have understood the secret and the value of non-violence as they have never done before.
Freedom's Battle|Mahatma Gandhi
Every non-co-operator will be inculcated, beaten, outraged but he should strictly maintain non-violence.
India for Indians|C. R. (Chittaranjan) Das
It must be acknowledged that the elimination of war was the direct result of non-violence practiced on a general scale.
The Skull|Philip K. Dick

British Dictionary definitions for nonviolence

nonviolence

/ (nɒnˈvaɪələns) /

noun

abstention from the use of physical force to achieve goals

Derived forms of nonviolence

nonviolent, 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

nonviolence

Origin of nonviolence

Words related to nonviolence

How to use nonviolence in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for nonviolence

Derived forms of nonviolence