nonviolence

nonviolence means A philosophy that rejects the use of violence, and instead seeks to bring about change through peaceful responses even to violent acts.

Why “nonviolence” is a great word

A philosophy or strategy that rejects the use of physical force and seeks to bring about social or political change through peaceful means of resistance. From the English prefix non- ("not") + violence ("the use of physical force to cause harm or damage"). Unlike "pacifism," which is a broader moral stance against all violence, or "passivity," which implies meek acceptance, nonviolence is a deliberate, disciplined, and confrontational form of engagement. It is the silent march into the teeth of the fire hose, the deliberate emptiness of hands raised where weapons might be, and the body that kneels not in submission but in defiance. It understands that power need not be seized to be dismantled, only witnessed.

Etymology

From non- + violence.

noun

A philosophy that rejects the use of violence, and instead seeks to bring about change through peaceful responses even to violent acts.e.g.“From this theological perspective, the spectrum of violences has to give way to a spectrum of nonviolences.” — 2014, Jamie Pitts, Principalities and Powers:

Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Words closest in meaning

By meaning, not spelling — each word's AI semantic fingerprint, nearest first.

antiviolent 59% match — Acting against or opposing violence. vs nonviolence →
antiviolence 55% match — Acting against or opposing violence. vs nonviolence →
satyagraha 54% match — The policy of nonviolent resistance as used by Mahatma Gandhi during the struggle for Indian independence. vs nonviolence →
gandhism 54% match — The philosophy and principles of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, encompassing the broad tenets of upholding truth, pacifism, and nonviolent activism; also rarely used for Gandhian economics. vs nonviolence →
nonresistance 52% match — Lack of resistance; not actively resisting. vs nonviolence →
nonbelligerency 52% match — Absence of belligerency, especially as an agreement between countries not to go to war (perhaps less amicable than neutrality). vs nonviolence →
pacificism 51% match — A moderate form of political pacifism which allows the use of violence against those seeking to commit greater violence. vs nonviolence →
ahimsa 51% match — A doctrine of non-violence, concerned with the sacredness of all living things and an effort to avoid causing harm to them. vs nonviolence →