Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Promoting peace; peaceful in character or intent: Describes actions, policies, or dispositions that aim to create or maintain peace, avoiding conflict or aggression.
   • Calm, tranquil: Describes a state or person that is serene and not easily agitated.
   • Relating to or bordering the Pacific Ocean: Pertaining to the geographical area of the world's largest ocean.

2. Proper noun:

   • The Pacific Ocean: The largest and deepest ocean on Earth, lying between the Americas to the east and Asia and Australia to the west.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The ambassador's pacific words helped to ease the tensions between the two nations.
  • She has a remarkably pacific temperament, rarely getting angry.
  • They studied the unique ecosystems of the pacific islands.

• Proper noun:

  • The explorer sailed across the Pacific.
  • Many species migrate across the vast expanse of the Pacific.

Advanced Usage

• "pacific overtures": Peaceful or conciliatory approaches or gestures made to resolve a conflict.

  • The government made pacific overtures to the rebel group, hoping to start negotiations.

• "pacific blockade": (Historical/Legal) A blockade established by a nation not at war, intended to enforce a demand peacefully.

  • The pacific blockade was used to pressure the country into repaying its debts.

Variants and Related Words

• Pacificism/Pacifism (n): The belief that war and violence are unjustifiable and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.

  • His pacifism led him to become a conscientious objector.

• Pacificist/Pacifist (n/adj): A person who believes in pacifism; opposed to war or violence.

  • The pacifist activist organized a peaceful protest.

• Pacificatory (adj, less common): Having the quality of making peace; conciliatory.

  • His role was to deliver a pacificatory message.

Synonyms

• Peaceful: Favoring or characterized by peace.
• Conciliatory: Intended or likely to placate or pacify.
• Dovish: Advocating peaceful or conciliatory policies, especially in foreign affairs.
• Tranquil: Free from disturbance; calm.

Antonyms

• Bellicose: Demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight.
• Belligerent: Hostile and aggressive.
• Warlike: Characteristic of or prepared for war.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• "Pacific Rim": The countries and landmasses bordering the Pacific Ocean, often considered as a socio-economic or geopolitical region.

  • Trade among Pacific Rim nations has increased significantly.

• "Cross the Pacific": To travel or voyage across the Pacific Ocean.

  • It took weeks for the ship to cross the Pacific.

Adjective

1. promoting peace
   • the result of this pacific policy was that no troops were called up
2. disposed to peace or of a peaceful nature
   • the pacific temper seeks to settle disputes on grounds of justice rather than by force
   • a quiet and peaceable person
   • in a peaceable and orderly manner
3. relating to or bordering the Pacific Ocean
   • Pacific islands

Noun

1. the largest ocean in the world