peacemaker

American  

[pees-mey-ker] / ˈpisˌmeɪ kər /

noun

1. a person, group, or nation that tries to make peace, especially by reconciling parties who disagree, quarrel, or fight.

   Synonyms:

   arbitrator, mediator, conciliator, intermediary

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peacemaker British  

/ ˈpiːsˌmeɪkə /

noun

1. a person who establishes peace, esp between others

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Other Word Forms

• peacemaking
  noun

Etymology

Origin of peacemaker

late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at peace, maker

Explanation

A peacemaker is a person who helps others solve a conflict and reach a peaceful solution. Of course Gandhi was a famous peacemaker, but even the volunteer on playground patrol can act as a peacemaker too. An individual can be a peacemaker, and there are also organizations that work as peacemakers. If two countries are engaged in a long war, for example, peacemakers might help negotiate a truce. Diplomats and mediators are peacemakers, and if you help your angry sisters come to a peaceable agreement about whose turn it is to take out the trash, you're a peacemaker too.

Example Sentences

Knight said the deceased "was trying to act as a peacemaker throughout the entirety of this short-lived incident".

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

You can’t have peace if there is no peacemaker on the other side.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

Now, with a round of talks concluded in Islamabad and frantic negotiations underway to secure a second go, Pakistan is basking in its new role as a regional peacemaker, analysts say.

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

In reality, he was never a real peacemaker.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2026

“Birds in their little nests agree,” sang Beth, the peacemaker, with such a funny face that both sharp voices softened to a laugh, and the “pecking” ended for that time.

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

Related Words

• arbitrator
• conciliator
• diplomat
• mediator
• negotiator
• pacifist
• peacekeeper