nonviolent
Refusing physical harm
Nonviolent describes actions, movements, or people that avoid physical force or aggression.
The word often appears in political contexts: nonviolent protest, nonviolent resistance.
A nonviolent offender has committed crimes—typically drug-related—that didn't involve harming others.
The demonstration remained nonviolent despite police provocation.
Nonviolent resistance philosophy
- ahimsaHindu principle of harmlessness
- GandhiIndian independence leader
- Martin Luther KingCivil rights movement leader
- suffragettesFemale voting-rights activists
activism · civil rights · liberation · grassroots · sanctions · embargo · conscientious objector · Mandela
Free from agitation
- sereneUntroubled and composed
- tranquilCalm and untroubled
- harmoniousPleasingly in accord
- gentleSoft and kind
placid · peaceable · mild · soothing · amicable · conciliatory · nonaggressive · temperate
Peaceful refusal to obey
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
boycott · vigil · picketing · strike · fasting · petition · leafletting · banner
Antiwar moral stance
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
- patienceCalm during delays
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
- gentlenessSoft, kind demeanor
meekness · acquiescence · stoicism · compliance · docility · submissiveness · inaction · unassertive
satyagraha
Nonviolent resistance philosophy
- ahimsaHindu principle of harmlessness
- GandhiIndian independence leader
- Martin Luther KingCivil rights movement leader
suffragettes · activism · civil rights · liberation · grassroots · sanctions · embargo · conscientious objector · Mandela · Rosa Parks
calm
Free from agitation
- sereneUntroubled and composed
- tranquilCalm and untroubled
- harmoniousPleasingly in accord
gentle · placid · peaceable · mild · soothing · amicable · conciliatory · nonaggressive · temperate · irenic
civil disobedience
Peaceful refusal to obey
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
- marchRhythmic group walk
- rallyGathering for a cause
sit-in · boycott · vigil · picketing · strike · fasting · petition · leafletting · banner · placard
pacifism
Antiwar moral stance
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
- patienceCalm during delays
- toleranceWillingness to accept difference
gentleness · meekness · acquiescence · stoicism · compliance · docility · submissiveness · inaction · unassertive · nonresistance
- "Non-" wordsnonprofit, nonfiction, nonstop, nonsense, nonfat
- nonviolencepacifism, harmlessness, peaceful, ahimsa, non-aggression
- unarmedweaponless, bare hands, empty hands, fists, unarmed combat
nonviolentviolent
Involving physical force
aggressive · brutal · savage · ferocious · fierce
nonviolenthostile
Aggressively unfriendly
combative · belligerent · bellicose · pugnacious · quarrelsome
- nonviolent protestOpposition through peaceful means
- nonviolent activismPeaceful methods seeking change
- nonviolent resistanceProtest through peaceful means
- nonviolent actionPeaceful methods of opposition
- nonviolent offendersLawbreakers without physical aggression