nonviolence
noun
non·vi·o·lence
ˌnän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s 
1
: abstention from violence as a matter of principle
also
: the principle of such abstention
2
a
: the quality or state of being nonviolent : avoidance of violence
b
: nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose of securing political ends
Examples of nonviolence in a Sentence
Demonstration organizers are urging nonviolence.
Recent Examples on the Web
There is a long history of emphasizing nonviolence and resilience, and for many American Jews, firearms have not been part of their lived experience.
—
Gayle Pearlstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
That rage drove her away from King’s politics of nonviolence and toward a more militant ideology.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Kimya, the founder of FAB, insists on nonviolence.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
King's last words to him were about the need to institutionalize and internationalize the nonviolence movement.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonviolence
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Gayle Pearlstein, The Washington Examiner, 3 Apr. 2026
That rage drove her away from King’s politics of nonviolence and toward a more militant ideology.
—Zayd Ayers Dohrn, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
Kimya, the founder of FAB, insists on nonviolence.
—Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
King's last words to him were about the need to institutionalize and internationalize the nonviolence movement.
—CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nonviolence
Cite this Entry
“Nonviolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonviolence. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
nonviolence
noun
non·vi·o·lence
(ˈ)nän-ˈvī-ə-lən(t)s
1
: the avoidance of the use of violence as a matter of principle
also
: the principle of not using violence to achieve one's goals
2
: nonviolent demonstrations for the purpose of achieving political goals
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