peaceable
Americanadjective
-
inclined or disposed to avoid strife or dissension; not argumentative or hostile: a peaceable disposition.
a peaceable person;
a peaceable disposition.
- Antonyms:
- hostile, quarrelsome
-
in peaceable periods;
a peaceable adjustment of a dispute.
adjective
-
inclined towards peace
-
tranquil; calm
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of peaceable
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English pesible, from Middle French paisible; see peace, -able
Explanation
Someone or something that is peaceable tends to avoid conflict. A peaceable demonstration would most likely involve lots of protest banners instead of angry rioters. A peaceable group of people finds non-violent ways to resolve disagreements — you could call such a group a peaceable society. This adjective is less common than the closely related peaceful. Both words come from the Old French pais, or "peace," and its Latin root pacem, "treaty of peace" or "absence of war."
Vocabulary lists containing peaceable
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Here, she tends to describe a largely peaceable kingdom populated by earnest researchers thoughtfully pursuing nature’s questions in a collaborative environment of inquiry and wonder.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
“This is, in fact, the definition of a peaceable revolution, if any such is possible.”
From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026
Military comedies have a long and relatively peaceable history on screens small and large — Fred Astaire, Bob Hope, Abbott and Costello, Martin and Lewis and Bill Murray all made them.
From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2024
The Bab el-Mandeb, known for being treacherous to navigate even in the most peaceable of times, is said to mean the "Gate of Lamentation," and these days, it’s living up to its name.
From Salon • Jul. 14, 2024
“Now that’s an odd thing. When I was a youth, friends laughed together and spoke in peaceable voices. Only enemies stood glaring and yelling, with their fists doubled. But then, times change.”
From "The Golden Goblet" by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
