peaceful

[pees-fuh l]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peaceful ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

characterized by peace; free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder: a peaceful reign; a peaceful demonstration.

of, relating to, or characteristic of a state or time of peace.

peaceable; not argumentative, quarrelsome, or hostile: a peaceful disposition.

Origin of peaceful

First recorded in 1250–1300, peaceful is from the Middle English word pesful. See peace, -ful

Related formspeace·ful·ly, adverbpeace·ful·ness, nounqua·si-peace·ful, adjectivequa·si-peace·ful·ly, adverbsem·i·peace·ful, adjectivesem·i·peace·ful·ly, adverbun·peace·ful, adjectiveun·peace·ful·ly, adverb

Can be confusedpeaceable peaceful (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms for peaceful

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peaceful ON THESAURUS.COM

1. Peaceful, placid, serene, tranquil refer to what is characterized by lack of strife or agitation. Peaceful today is rarely applied to persons; it refers to situations, scenes, and activities free of disturbances or, occasionally, of warfare: a peaceful life. Placid, serene, tranquil are used mainly of persons; when used of things (usually elements of nature) there is a touch of personification. Placid suggests an unruffled calm that verges on complacency: a placid disposition; a placid stream. Serene is a somewhat nobler word; when used of persons it suggests dignity, composure, and graciousness: a serene old man; when applied to nature there is a suggestion of mellowness: the serene landscapes of autumn. Tranquil implies a command of emotions, often because of strong faith, which keeps one unagitated even in the midst of excitement or danger.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peacefully

Contemporary Examples of peacefully

We must work together to peacefully bring about change to our communities.
Trayvon Martin’s Family Rejects ‘Dead Cops’ Marchers
Jacob Siegel
December 24, 2014
The crowd of more than 200 stared down a wall of riot police and said their piece, loudly and peacefully.
'Go Ahead and Shoot Me': The Veteran Who Defied Ferguson's Cops
Justin Glawe
August 13, 2014
And when you peacefully protest their stereotyping of you, they lash back at you and they call you horrendous, horrific names.
Amanda Blackhorse Is ‘Confident’ Snyder Will Lose His Redskins Appeal
Robert Silverman
June 25, 2014
The transfer took place quickly without incident, peacefully and without violence.
Here are the Taliban Terrorists Obama Released to Free POW Bowe Bergdahl
Eli Lake, Josh Rogin
May 31, 2014
He always had the opportunity to go away with her to a safe place and live quietly and peacefully.
Game of Thrones’ Sibel Kekilli Discusses Shae’s Treachery at the Trial of Tyrion Lannister
Marlow Stern
May 13, 2014

Historical Examples of peacefully

He married Aldonza at Michaelmas, and all went well and peacefully in the household.
The Armourer's Prentices
Charlotte M. Yonge
"I 'ain't got nothin' to tell, dear," answered Dilly, peacefully.
Meadow Grass
Alice Brown
Therese peacefully watched the activity of his movements round about her.
Therese Raquin
Emile Zola
Let us interrogate the great apparition, that shines so peacefully around us.
Nature
Ralph Waldo Emerson
It was quiet––oddly, peacefully quiet for a second––in that long room.
Once to Every Man
Larry Evans

British Dictionary definitions for peacefully

peaceful

adjective

not in a state of war or disagreement

tranquil; calm

not involving violencepeaceful picketing

of, relating to, or in accord with a time of peacepeaceful uses of atomic energy

inclined towards peace

Derived Formspeacefully, adverbpeacefulness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for peacefully

peaceful

adj.

early 14c., "inclined to peace, friendly, pacific," from peace + -ful. Meaning "tranquil, calm, full of peace" is from mid-14c. In reference to nonviolent methods of effecting social change, it is attested from 1876. Related: Peacefully; peacefulness. Peaceful coexistence (1920) originally was in regard to Soviet policy toward the capitalist West.