pacifist

[pas-uh-fist]

noun

1. a person who believes in pacifism or is opposed to war or to violence of any kind.

2. a person whose personal belief in pacifism causes them to refuse being drafted into military service.

adjective

1. pacifistic.

ˈpacifist

/ ˈpæsɪfɪst /

noun

1. a person who supports pacifism

2. a person who refuses military service

adjective

1. advocating, relating to, or characterized by pacifism

Other Word Forms

• antipacifist noun
• nonpacifist noun
• propacifist noun
• semipacifist adjective
• unpacifist adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pacifist¹

From the French word pacifiste, dating back to 1905–10. See pacific, -ist

Example Sentences

The Tongan brothers are sophisticated, belligerent and accustomed to privilege; Kōrero’s people are humble, pacifist and poor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The LDP veteran is hawkish on security and aims to revise Japan's pacifist constitution.

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And such a recognition wasn’t confined to pacifists but extended to policymakers.

Read more on Salon

The student they shared an apartment with, the Wiccan pacifist without enemies, somehow seemed a convenient one.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

German-American groups and the pacifist left both promote isolationism.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• peacemaker