ˈpasəˌfizəm noun
( -s )
Etymology: French pacifisme, from pacifique pacific (from Middle French) + -isme -ism — more at pacific
1. : opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes
their pacifism is rooted in their contemplative outlook, and in the fact that they do not desire to change whatever they see — Bertrand Russell
the fundamental transformation from pacifism to full war-mindedness that was necessary to meet the crisis — R. de R. de Sales
specifically : refusal to bear arms because of moral or religious principles
Christian pacifism … asserts that all warfare is categorically forbidden to followers of Our Lord — T.S.Eliot
2. : an attitude or policy of nonresistance : passivism
some assert that … pacifism should be our aim, and a disarmed neutrality our policy — Yale Review