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.

---

nonviolence British  

/ nɒnˈvaɪələns /

noun

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

---

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

After talking with security for 10 minutes, Moon said he wanted to “preach nonviolence” and left the stadium because he no longer felt comfortable.

From Los Angeles Times

In the past, I had a different perspective, advocating for nonviolence and peaceful resolutions.

From Los Angeles Times

Cynthia Mahmood, professor of anthropology at Central College in Iowa and an expert on the Khalistani movement, has talked to militants and written about the concept of violence and nonviolence in Sikhism.

From Seattle Times

People were obeying the tenets and practices of nonviolence, but there was still violence being projected at them.

From Los Angeles Times

She later joked that her initial impulse in joining Mr. Lawson’s nonviolence workshops was to keep an eye on a boyfriend.

From New York Times

Related Words

• pacification
• pacifism