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

Socialists, anarchists, pacifists and other perceived radicals were also under tremendous stress from the aforementioned government campaign of persecution and censorship, including the infamous Espionage Act.

Read more on Salon

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.

Read more on BBC

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

Related Words

• peacemaker