dove

noun

ˈdəv How to pronounce dove (audio)
Definition of dovenext
1
as in pacifist
a person who opposes war or warlike policies the doves were in favor of using the surplus to improve the nation's schools and not its weapons systems

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in angel
an innocent or gentle person he's a dove who wouldn't hurt a fly

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of dove By the fourth verse, as the baby dove falls asleep beneath its mother’s wing, Josée had stopped breathing. — Sai Rajagopal, STAT, 4 Aug. 2026 At one point, the squirrel wasn’t too far away from a dove that was sitting on the warning track, also taking in the game. — Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 28 July 2026 That is much worse than calling birds, French hens, turtle doves and partridges and would certainly make for a terrible Christmas song. — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 After making both doves and critics cry in its out-of-town tryouts, the Purple Rain musical adaptation is heading to Broadway. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for dove
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dove
  1. pacifist
  2. angel
  3. sheep
  4. innocent
  5. lamb
Noun
  • The arguments of English philosopher, mathematician, pacifist, and Nobel Prize winner Bertrand Russell (1872-1970) in favor of free speech and inquiry were explosive for the young Basiji.
    — Matt Thompson, SPIN, 8 July 2026
  • His father, Kenneth, was a pacifist and a conscientious objector in World War II, which made the family somewhat outcast in its small hometown.
    — Barbara Isenberg, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026
Definition of pacifist
Noun
  • But apart from that, there’s the matter of just how awfully spirit-lifting her earth-angel mezzo-soprano tends to be, even when backing herself into dark corners before backing her way back out again.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 29 Aug. 2026
  • Its exterior is rich with symbolism, from stone carvings representing the all-seeing eye of God to a golden statue, atop the highest spire, of an angel blowing a trumpet to herald the Second Coming.
    — Brandon Griggs, CNN Money, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of angel
Noun
  • The shepherd’s rod and staff, tools used in tending and protecting sheep, reinforce the sense of security.
    — Frannie Comstock, Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Some herders moved 100 miles (about 160 kilometers) with their cattle in search of water and grazing land; others stayed closer to home with sheep and goats.
    — Anne Pisor, The Conversation, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of sheep
Noun
  • On that terrible day, millions of Americans witnessed airplanes flying into buildings, people jumping off skyscrapers, and the Twin Towers collapsing with thousands of innocents inside.
    — Foreign Affairs, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The Night Court will not stand idly by while innocents are attacked.
    — Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of innocent
Noun
  • Sundays are reserved for manti—delicate lamb dumplings served with garlicky yoghurt and a hint of sumac—a dish that is always a hit with a loyal crowd of regulars.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Madilynn Becker, Miss Kansas USA Miss Kansas USA Madilynn Becker grew up showing livestock in the 4-H circuit, where youth can show animals like hogs, cows, and, in Becker’s case, lambs.
    — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of lamb

Browse Nearby Words

dousing
dove
dovecote
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Dove.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dove. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on dove

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about dove

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All