pacificism

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noun

A moderate form of political pacifism which allows the use of violence against those seeking to commit greater violence.

Similar
pacifismpassivism
Scrabble 21
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Meanings

nounpacificism (usually uncountable, plural pacificisms)

plural pacificisms

  1. uncountableusuallyA moderate form of political pacifism which allows the use of violence against those seeking to commit greater violence.
  2. uncountableusuallyGeneral ethical opposition to war or violence; pacifism broadly stated.

Synonyms & antonyms

nounthe doctrine that all violence is unjustifiable

Similar
pacifismpassivism
Broader
doctrinephilosophyphilosophical system

nounthe belief that all international disputes can be settled by arbitration

Similar
pacifism
Broader
belief
Also see
pacifismpassivism

Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

Origin

From pacific + -ism.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

pacificism. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pacificism

MLA

“pacificism.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pacificism. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “pacificism,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/pacificism.

Source: pacificism on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.