pacifism

noun

pac·​i·​fism ˈpa-sə-ˌfi-zəm How to pronounce pacifism (audio)
1
: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
specifically : refusal to bear arms on moral or religious grounds
For Quakers pacifism is a major tenet of belief.
2
: an attitude or policy of nonresistance
efforts toward pacifism and civil rights

Examples of pacifism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This large-scale aid is all the more exceptional given Germany’s long-standing pacifism, which has historically led Berlin to refuse to send weapons to conflict zones. Norbert Röttgen, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2023 Political dishonesty, whether antisocial Antifa-ism or apathetic pacifism, has resulted in madness. Armond White, National Review, 15 Sep. 2023 During World War II, his father traveled to promote pacifism and Zionism. Robert D. McFadden, New York Times, 6 Jan. 2024 The nationalists continue to see Article 9 as a humiliating assault on Japanese sovereignty, while their liberal opponents continue to see pacifism as a necessary lesson to be drawn from Japan’s dismal wartime record. Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 Boel Westin, a professor of children’s literature at Stockholm University who wrote a biography of Jansson, said that the artist used her work to express her ideas around pacifism. Nina Siegal, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2023 These early players made beautiful, idealistic speeches, often invoking pacifism. WIRED, 26 Sep. 2023 Japan’s constitutional pacifism has always been predicated on the understanding that the U.S. would guarantee its security. Ian Buruma, The New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2023 Initially enamored with the Communist Party’s devotion to racial equality, Rustin more fully embraced political socialism and ideological pacifism after the outbreak of World War II, when the party abandoned civil rights advocacy for war work. Zachary Clary, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pacifism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French pacifisme, from pacifique pacific

First Known Use

1902, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pacifism was in 1902

Dictionary Entries Near pacifism

Cite this Entry

“Pacifism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pacifism. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pacifism

noun
pac·​i·​fism ˈpas-ə-ˌfiz-əm How to pronounce pacifism (audio)
: opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
pacifist noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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