pacifism

Also pa·cif·i·cism

[pas-uh-fiz-uhm]

noun

1. opposition to war or violence of any kind.

2. refusal to engage in military activity because of one's principles or beliefs.

3. the principle or policy that all differences among nations should be adjusted without recourse to war.

pacifism

/ ˈpæsɪˌfɪzəm /

noun

1. the belief that violence of any kind is unjustifiable and that one should not participate in war

2. the belief that international disputes can be settled by arbitration rather than war

pacifism

1. The view that war is morally unacceptable and never justified (see conscientious objector). The term is sometimes applied to the belief that international disputes should be settled peacefully.

Other Word Forms

• antipacifism noun
• propacifism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacifism¹

1905–10; < pacifisme. See pacific, -ism

Example Sentences

They’ve objected to books which expose readers to evolution, pacifism, magic, women achieving things outside of the home and “false views of death.”

Read more on Salon

Together, the young pariah-turned-lizard-rider and his spunky pet prove there’s strength in pacifism.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The letter claimed that Biden’s approach to Israel amounted to support of genocide in Gaza and was out of step with the pacifism expressed by Martin Luther King Jr., Morehouse’s most famous graduate.

Read more on Seattle Times

The petition called the invitation antithetical to the pacifism Martin Luther King Jr., a Morehouse alumnus, expressed when opposing the Vietnam War.

Read more on Seattle Times

And he pointed to Sweden and Finland, once paragons of pacifism and neutrality but now members of Nato.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• accord 
• friendship 
• love 
• reconciliation 
• truce 
• unity