nonviolence

/'nɔn'vaiələnt/

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Word: Nonviolence

Definition: Nonviolence is the idea of refusing to use physical force or violence to achieve a goal, especially in protests or movements against unfair treatment. Instead of fighting or harming others, people who practice nonviolence use peaceful methods, like talking, fasting (not eating food for a time), or not cooperating with unjust rules.

Usage Instructions:

• Nonviolence is a noun, so you can use it when talking about the concept or practice of peaceful resistance.
• You can say, "They believe in nonviolence," meaning they support peaceful methods instead of violent ones.

Example:

• "The leaders of the civil rights movement in the United States promoted nonviolence to challenge segregation."

Advanced Usage:

• Nonviolence can be a strategy in social movements. It's often associated with famous figures, such as Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who used nonviolent methods to inspire change.

Word Variants:

• Nonviolent (adjective): Describing actions or methods that do not involve violence.

  • Example: "They organized a nonviolent protest."

• Nonviolently (adverb): Describing the manner of doing something without violence.

  • Example: "She expressed her disagreement nonviolently."

Different Meanings:

• In a broader sense, nonviolence can also refer to any behavior or attitude that avoids causing harm to others, not just in political contexts.

Synonyms:

• Peaceful resistance
• Pacifism
• Civil disobedience (though this can sometimes involve law-breaking, it is usually done without violence)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• While there aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "nonviolence," you might see phrases like:
  • "Turn the other cheek" - This means to respond to aggression or insult without retaliating, which aligns with nonviolent principles.
  • "Fight the good fight" - This phrase can mean to stand up for what is right, often in a nonviolent way.

Academic

Noun

1. peaceful resistance to a government by fasting or refusing to cooperate

Synonyms

• passive resistance
• nonviolent resistance