peaceful

adjective

peace·​ful ˈpēs-fəl How to pronounce peaceful (audio)
1
: peaceable sense 1
They are a peaceful people.
2
: untroubled by conflict, agitation, or commotion : quiet, tranquil
the feeling … that we as neighbors could settle any disputes in peaceful fashionF. D. Roosevelt
3
: of or relating to a state or time of peace
… the feasibility of creating a peaceful world order.Alan Tonelson
4
: devoid of violence or force
The opposing groups used peaceful tactics.
peacefully adverb
peacefulness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for peaceful

calm, tranquil, serene, placid, peaceful mean quiet and free from disturbance.

calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

Examples of peaceful in a Sentence

The park is so peaceful and quiet. They settled the conflict by peaceful means. We need to find a peaceful alternative to war.
Recent Examples on the Web In September, the Washington National Cathedral inaugurated a pair of stained glass windows designed by artist Kerry James Marshall that depicts peaceful protest. Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 Their songs stretched out like peaceful oceans, offering a dreamlike conclusion to a lightly surreal afternoon. Cat Cardenas, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2024 Those who yearn for a peaceful, democratic Russia have limited influence to topple Putin. Brian Klaas, The Atlantic, 14 Mar. 2024 The backlash by authorities toward peaceful protesters was marked by violent repression and arbitrary arrests, according to groups like Amnesty International and the United Nations. Megan Janetsky, Victor R. Caivano and Rodrigo Abd, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Both hoped that the nascent nuclear technology would remain under global, and peaceful, control. Kc Cole, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024 Moreover, in those countries, multiparty democracy and peaceful transfers of power have worked: Poland’s October 2023 election, which brought the liberal centrist Donald Tusk to power after years of rule by the right-wing Law and Justice Party, is proof of that. Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 7 Mar. 2024 Nagaya Tower, in the peaceful city of Kagoshima on the Japanese island of Kyushu, houses 43 people, ages 8 to 92, including a family with five children. Oscar Espinosa, The Christian Science Monitor, 4 Mar. 2024 Aquamarine, March’s birthstone creates a calming effect reflective of oceanic blues and the peaceful feeling of the sea. Beth Bernstein, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'peaceful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of peaceful was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near peaceful

Cite this Entry

“Peaceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peaceful. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

peaceful

adjective
peace·​ful ˈpēs-fəl How to pronounce peaceful (audio)
1
: enjoying peace and quiet
a peaceful people
2
: quiet entry 2 sense 1c, tranquil
a peaceful countryside
especially : not at war
3
: not involving violence or force
settled the conflict by peaceful means
peacefully adverb
peacefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on peaceful

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