Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adjective Undisturbed by strife, turmoil, or disagreement; tranquil: synonym: calm.
  • adjective Inclined or disposed to peace; peaceable.
  • adjective Not involving violence or employing force.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Full of, possessing, or enjoying peace; not in a state of war, commotion, or disquiet; quiet; undisturbed: as, a peaceful time; a peaceful country.
  • Pacific; mild; calm: as, a peaceful temper.
  • Synonyms Peaceable, etc. (see pacific), tranquil, serene.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adjective Possessing or enjoying peace; not disturbed by war, tumult, agitation, anxiety, or commotion; quiet; tranquil
  • adjective Not disposed or tending to war, tumult or agitation; pacific; mild; calm; peaceable.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective not at war or disturbed by strife or turmoil
  • adjective inclined to peace
  • adjective motionless and calm

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adjective not disturbed by strife or turmoil or war
  • adjective peacefully resistant in response to injustice

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

peace +‎ -ful

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Examples

  • WHEN the French Communists were raising Cain in Europe they doubtless thought their idea was practically new, but thousands of years before they bore the red banner through the streets of Paris the American Indians were living quiet and peaceful communal lives on this continent; when I use the words _quiet_ and _peaceful_, I, of course, mean as regards their own particular commune and not taking into account their attitude toward their neighbors.

    Shelters, Shacks and Shanties Daniel Carter Beard 1895

  • Egypt has been upended, and I smile at the phrase "peaceful mob" as an oxymoron; all mobs contain an element of spitefulness and personal score-settling.

    NYT > Home Page By PAUL THEROUX 2011

  • Egypt has been upended, and I smile at the phrase "peaceful mob" as an oxymoron; all mobs contain an element of spitefulness and personal score-settling.

    The Seattle Times 2011

  • It also presents a dilemma for the Dalai Lama, as Tibetan Buddhism doesn't permit suicide, and he doesn't condone violence in what he describes as a peaceful campaign for greater autonomy in his homeland.

    Two Tibetans Set Themselves on Fire in Protest JEREMY PAGE 2011

  • The timing of Saturday's meeting was particularly sensitive as it came in the midst of the Chinese government's efforts to celebrate the 60th anniversary of what it calls the "peaceful liberation" of Tibet by Communist troops.

    China Blasts Dalai Lama's Visit to White House Jeremy Page 2011

  • The former Iranian President Hashemi Rafsanjani, like most Iranian leaders, is standing firm on what they call their peaceful nuclear rights.

    CNN Transcript Nov 30, 2009 2009

  • We stand ready to prepare for any partnership on the nuclear issue and not going to give way to our desire to keep up what he calls a peaceful nuclear program.

    CNN Transcript Jun 14, 2009 2009

  • Given what Australia has said about the need for genuine dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama, I guess you'd have to applaud today's appeal from 40 Olympic athletes for what they termed a peaceful resolution to the Tibet question?

    Interview - Newshour with Jim Middleton, Australia Network - Transcript - The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs 2008

  • Given what Australia has said about the need for genuine dialogue between the Chinese authorities and representatives of the Dalai Lama, I guess you'd have to applaud today's appeal from 40 Olympic athletes for what they termed a peaceful resolution to the Tibet question?

    Interview - Newshour with Jim Middleton, Australia Network - Transcript - The Hon Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Foreign Affairs 2008

  • Since Friday, the workers have held what they called a peaceful occupation of the Republic Windows & Doors plant.

    CNN Transcript Dec 8, 2008 2008

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