peacenik

noun

peace·​nik ˈpēs-ˌnik How to pronounce peacenik (audio)
Synonyms of peaceniknext
: an opponent of war
specifically : one who participates in antiwar demonstrations

Examples of peacenik in a Sentence

peaceniks argued that all the nonmilitary options had not been exhausted
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Generations of peacenik Americans first saw Bread and Puppet Theater during anti-war protests. Neda Ulaby, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025 Burdick, a lifelong peacenik with a neat white beard, had moved to Saudi Arabia from Texas in the mid-nineties. Heidi Blake, The New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2024 Kelly is in almost immediately, flying to Cocoa Beach in Florida with her not-so-enthusiastic assistant, an anti-Nixon peacenik. Damon Wise, Deadline, 8 July 2024 At this point, John Lennon is either a peacenik saint or a wife-beating villain in the eyes of most. Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2024 This Einstein is a fervent peacenik who saw in Nazi Germany an existential threat to peace everywhere, and to Jewish people in particular. Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of peacenik was in 1962

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Cite this Entry

“Peacenik.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peacenik. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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