peaceful
adjective
peace·ful ˈpēs-fəl 
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
F. D. Roosevelt3
: of or relating to a state or time of peace
… the feasibility of creating a peaceful world order. Alan Tonelson
Alan Tonelson4
: devoid of violence or force
The opposing groups used peaceful tactics.
peacefully
ˈpēs-fə-lē
adverb peacefulness noun
Synonyms
- dovish
- pacific
- pacifist
- pacifistic
- peaceable
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Instead, Kherson became a symbol of peaceful resistance. Ian Lovett, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 That's raising the stakes for the November vote, particularly for contests that play a vital role in validating election results and ensuring peaceful transfers of power. Nicholas Riccardi, Chron, 10 Sep. 2022 The outdoor space boasts an abundance of mature trees, a tennis court and peaceful views of the adjacent park. Joey Morona, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury showed his support for Queen Elizabeth II by wishing her a peaceful rest on Instagram and sharing a tribute on Twitter. Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 And what better way to start the day in a peaceful place than to start by tapping into something bigger than yourself? Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 9 Sep. 2022 The Queen's reign was long and mostly peaceful, despite vast changes across her country, the evolution of the Commonwealth, and the rise of anti-monarchist sentiment in Britain over the decades. Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Despite regular reminders of the war—a curfew, several air-raid sirens a day (no one heeds them), gas shortages, soaring food prices—all of Kyiv is engaged in a collective effort to re-create peaceful life, to reclaim the city. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 14 June 2022 Sallus, whose early life struggles with behavioral issues sent him to boarding school in Sedona, soon found that horses were an avenue toward a peaceful, more tranquil life. Mary Grace Grabill, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 See More
Ian Lovett, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2022 That's raising the stakes for the November vote, particularly for contests that play a vital role in validating election results and ensuring peaceful transfers of power. Nicholas Riccardi, Chron, 10 Sep. 2022 The outdoor space boasts an abundance of mature trees, a tennis court and peaceful views of the adjacent park. Joey Morona, cleveland, 9 Sep. 2022 British heavyweight champion Tyson Fury showed his support for Queen Elizabeth II by wishing her a peaceful rest on Instagram and sharing a tribute on Twitter. Victoria Hernandez, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2022 And what better way to start the day in a peaceful place than to start by tapping into something bigger than yourself? Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 9 Sep. 2022 The Queen's reign was long and mostly peaceful, despite vast changes across her country, the evolution of the Commonwealth, and the rise of anti-monarchist sentiment in Britain over the decades. Ruth Kinane, EW.com, 8 Sep. 2022 Despite regular reminders of the war—a curfew, several air-raid sirens a day (no one heeds them), gas shortages, soaring food prices—all of Kyiv is engaged in a collective effort to re-create peaceful life, to reclaim the city. Masha Gessen, The New Yorker, 14 June 2022 Sallus, whose early life struggles with behavioral issues sent him to boarding school in Sedona, soon found that horses were an avenue toward a peaceful, more tranquil life. Mary Grace Grabill, The Arizona Republic, 17 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
peaceful
adjective
peace·ful ˈpēs-fəl
1
: not easily moved to argue or fight
a peaceful people
2
: full of or enjoying quiet, calm, or freedom from disturbance
3
: not involving fighting
Try to settle a dispute by peaceful means.
peaceful
adjective
1
as in pacific
inclined to live in peace and to avoid war a peaceful tribe that had quietly inhabited these shores for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- pacific
- pacifist
- pacifistic
- peaceable
- serene
- quiet
- neutral
- benevolent
- tranquil
- dovish
- calm
- nonaggressive
- nonbelligerent
- unwarlike
- relaxed
- irenic
- unaggressive
- noncombative
- kind
- antiwar
- gentle
- amiable
- mild
- antimilitarist
- antimilitaristic
- amicable
- antiviolence
- submissive
- affable
- kindly
- genial
- yielding
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- warlike
- bloodthirsty
- martial
- militaristic
- hawkish
- aggressive
- hostile
- belligerent
- combative
- militarist
- contentious
- bellicose
- pugnacious
- antagonistic
- quarrelsome
- scrappy
- discordant
- truculent
- fierce
- argumentative
- gladiatorial
- hot-tempered
2
as in nonviolent
not involving violence or force UN officials struggled to find a peaceful solution to the troublesome conflict Synonyms & Similar Words
- nonviolent
- peaceable
- calming
- quieting
- soothing
- pacific
- conciliatory
- peacemaking
- irenic
- nonbelligerent
- conciliating
- bloodless
- unassertive
- appeasing
- placating
- unaggressive
- pacifying
- mollifying
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- violent
- warlike
- military
- armed
- militant
- martial
- aggressive
- hostile
- belligerent
- forced
- assertive
- contentious
- antagonistic
- fierce
- combative
- volcanic
- bellicose
- quarrelsome
- argumentative
- tempestuous
- gladiatorial
3
as in quiet
free from disturbing noise or uproar a peaceful house, now that the kids are all grown and departed Synonyms & Similar Words
- quiet
- serene
- tranquil
- restful
- calm
- placid
- hushed
- silent
- quieted
- still
- arcadian
- noiseless
- soft
- stilly
- quiescent
- motionless
- soundless
- gentle
- mute
- wordless
- muted
- speechless
- muffled
- dull
- dead
- ultraquiet
- low
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- boisterous
- loud
- tumultuous
- noisy
- raucous
- rowdy
- unquiet
- clamorous
- deafening
- wild
- uproarious
- woolly
- romping
- roistering
- wooly
- crazy
- tempestuous
- clattery
- rip-roaring
- thunderous
- booming
- roaring
- thundering
- piercing
- blasting
- earsplitting
- blaring
4
as in tranquil
free from storms or physical disturbance a peaceful lake Synonyms & Similar Words
- tranquil
- quiet
- serene
- placid
- calm
- hushed
- still
- untroubled
- sunny
- gentle
- halcyon
- mild
- temperate
- clear
- lown
- equable
- moderate
- clement
- stilly
- balmy
- cloudless
- windless
- sunshiny
- fair
- rainless
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- turbulent
- angry
- restless
- unsettled
- stormy
- rough
- agitated
- tempestuous
- unquiet
- inclement
- windy
- extreme
- blustery
- severe
- intemperate
- nasty
- foul
- blizzardy
- squally
- blizzardly
5
as in serene
free from emotional or mental agitation the patient is peaceful and resting comfortably Synonyms & Similar Words
- serene
- calm
- tranquil
- composed
- placid
- smooth
- collected
- undisturbed
- unruffled
- unperturbed
- untroubled
- at peace
- sedate
- together
- possessed
- relaxed
- unworried
- confident
- cool
- steady
- limpid
- unshaken
- level
- coolheaded
- mellow
- centered
- recollected
- relieved
- equal
- self-possessed
- self-composed
- nonchalant
- equable
- detached
- imperturbable
- carefree
- easygoing
- unflappable
- tranquilized
- unshakable
- well-balanced
- tranquillized
- sober
- even
- dispassionate
- disciplined
- well-adjusted
- laid-back
- assured
- unconcerned
- breezy
- affable
- even-keeled
- aloof
- nerveless
- phlegmatic
- indifferent
- impassive
- self-controlled
- stolid
- happy-go-lucky
- bovine
- self-assured
- loosey-goosey
- self-contained
- devil-may-care
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disturbed
- upset
- agitated
- perturbed
- anxious
- uneasy
- unsettled
- distressed
- unquiet
- restless
- flustered
- worried
- nervous
- unhinged
- unglued
- unstrung
- tense
- bothered
- jumpy
- unstable
- discomposed
- jittery
- uptight
- skittish
- high-strung
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of peaceful are calm, placid, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.
grown peaceful in old age
The synonyms calm and peaceful are sometimes interchangeable, but calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.
the protests ended, and the streets were calm again
In some situations, the words placid and peaceful are roughly equivalent. However, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.
remained placid despite the criticism
The words serene and peaceful can be used in similar contexts, but serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.
watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening
Although the words tranquil and peaceful have much in common, tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.
the tranquil beauty of a formal garden