PACIFIST Synonyms: 62 Similar and Opposite Words

pacifist 1 of 2

noun

ˈpa-sə-fist

Definition of pacifist

as in dove

a person who opposes war or warlike policies a committed pacifist, Gandhi succeeded in bringing about Indian independence using only nonviolence

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pacifist

2 of 2

adjective

variants or pacifistic

as in pacific

inclined to live in peace and to avoid war the newspaper's editorial board has clearly staked out a pacifist position on the current conflict

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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 pacifist

Noun

Still, Bale has a couple of nice moments as Mandras, a Greek fisherman who loses his fiancée (Penelope Cruz) to a mandolin-playing pacifist (Cage, of course) but, all told, is pretty reasonable about it. — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026 Then, a Nobel Peace Prize Noel-Baker’s father, a successful London businessman and dedicated pacifist, put his own belief in public service into action as a member of the London County Council and, later, in the House of Commons. — Amy Crawford, Popular Science, 29 Jan. 2026

Adjective

His ideas are later used to discourage violently spearing food with a knife, and instead promote the pacifist chopstick. — New York Times, 17 July 2026 One consequence of the ensuing wars was the emergence of a new, anti-sectarian, pacifist element in Dutch religious life. — Clare Bucknell, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pacifist

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pacifist

Noun

With that sense of excitement, Samantha and Sean dove headfirst into renovating the 1860s home, but quickly learned that saving the house would require far more than just cosmetic improvements.

— Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 22 Aug. 2026
For reference, according to one Argentinian lodge, the record number for doves shot in a single day is 14,000.

— Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of dove

Adjective

National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026
These conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane development, whereas the eastern and central Pacific hurricane seasons are typically more active during strong El Niño events.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026

Definition of pacific

Adjective

Only Ann Patchett could write such a pleasant, amiable novel about death, and only a horse could serve as her essential metaphor for peaceful salvation.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2026
Set in the present day, ghosts from the past of Leroy Jethro Gibbs (Mark Harmon) finally catch up to him, shattering his peaceful retirement in Alaska.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of peaceful

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Style

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

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Synonyms of pacifist

noun

adjective

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