peaceful

adjective

peace·​ful ˈpēs-fəl How to pronounce peaceful (audio)
Synonyms of peacefulnext
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 fashion—F. 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
ˈpēs-fə-lē How to pronounce peaceful (audio)
adverb
peacefulness noun

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Trump returns to White House for symbolic meeting President-elect Donald Trump will meet with President Joe Biden today in a symbolic White House ceremony meant to signal the peaceful transfer of power. —Elizabeth Robinson, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024 The system proved incapable of punishing Trump personally for his concerted, multifaceted refusal to accept his defeat and accept a peaceful transfer of power in 2020. —Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024 North Carolina In North Carolina, the state's elections director pled for a peaceful transfer of power and for people to accept the results. —Luke Barr, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2024 Could foreign spies disrupt the peaceful transfer of power? —The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for peaceful 

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

peace dollar

peaceful

peaceful coexistence

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Peaceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/peaceful. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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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
-fə-lē How to pronounce peaceful (audio)
adverb
peacefulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on peaceful

Nglish: Translation of peaceful for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of peaceful for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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