counterviolence

noun

coun·ter·vi·o·lence ˌkau̇n-tər-ˈvī-lən(t)s

-ˈvī-ə-

variants or counter-violence

: violence committed in retaliation for violence

Violence is not so much a question of a single act that breaks a supposed continuum of nonviolence or peace. Rather, violence is best understood as a historical cycle of violence and counterviolence.—

Simon Critchley

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of counterviolence was in 1839

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Counterviolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/counterviolence. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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