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; see origin at ahimsa ( def. )

Explanation

When you protest peacefully or work for social changes without resorting to violence, that's nonviolence. Two of the most famous proponents of nonviolence were Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Nonviolence is a principle, a personal value system, or a way of life. People who practice nonviolence live their lives harming as few other people (or animals, often) as possible. Many political protesters use nonviolence as a tactic during demonstrations, such as sit-ins, die-ins, and other forms of civil disobedience. Once Gandhi used the word nonviolence in this way in 1920, the word became associated with social and political activism.

Example Sentences

Participants carried signs denouncing “authoritarianism” and calling for the protection of democratic institutions, with many events emphasizing nonviolence and community organizing.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2026

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 • Oct. 18, 2025

“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 • Oct. 10, 2025

And it only confused and offended Kennedy further when Smith tried to warn him that sometime in the not-too-distant future even those who preached nonviolence, like himself, would become fed up.

From Slate • Aug. 18, 2025

I accepted the censure, and thereafter faithfully defended the policy of nonviolence in public.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• pacification
• pacifism