peaceful

[pees-fuh l] /ˈpis fəl/

adjective

characterized by peace; free from war, strife, commotion, violence, or disorder:

a peaceful reign; a peaceful demonstration.

of, pertaining to, or characteristic of a state or time of peace.

peaceable; not argumentative, quarrelsome, or hostile:

a peaceful disposition.

Origin

1250-1300; Middle English pesful. See peace, -ful

Related forms

peacefully, adverb

peacefulness, noun

quasi-peaceful, adjective

quasi-peacefully, adverb

semipeaceful, adjective

semipeacefully, adverb

unpeaceful, adjective

unpeacefully, adverb

Can be confused

peaceable, peaceful (see synonym study at the current entry)

Synonyms

1. Peaceful, placid, serene, tranquil refer to what is characterized by lack of strife or agitation. Peaceful today is rarely applied to persons; it refers to situations, scenes, and activities free of disturbances or, occasionally, of warfare: a peaceful life. Placid, serene, tranquil are used mainly of persons; when used of things (usually elements of nature) there is a touch of personification. Placid suggests an unruffled calm that verges on complacency: a placid disposition; a placid stream. Serene is a somewhat nobler word; when used of persons it suggests dignity, composure, and graciousness: a serene old man; when applied to nature there is a suggestion of mellowness: the serene landscapes of autumn. Tranquil implies a command of emotions, often because of strong faith, which keeps one unagitated even in the midst of excitement or danger.

Examples from the web for peaceful

May you resolve the contradictions raging beneath the surface and live a serene and peaceful life.
Choose a scene that you find peaceful, calm and restful.
Despite the disruption of work, the crowd at the port was peaceful.
But the repression that followed has dashed hopes for peaceful reform.
The word is that a provisional result, and a peaceful change, is imminent.
Though crowded in summer, the lodge makes a peaceful outpost for long day hikes in spring.
One overlooked benefit of aging populations may be the prospect of a more peaceful world.
Our experts didn't take it as a given that a civilization that survived for a long time would be peaceful.
Demonstrators in the capital have stressed the peaceful nature of their protests.
King believed that peaceful refusal to obey unjust law was the best way to bring about social change.

British Dictionary definitions for peaceful

peaceful

/ˈpiːsfʊl/

adjective

not in a state of war or disagreement

tranquil; calm

not involving violence: peaceful picketing

of, relating to, or in accord with a time of peace: peaceful uses of atomic energy

inclined towards peace

Derived Forms

peacefully, adverb
peacefulness, noun

Word Origin and History for peaceful

adj.

early 14c., "inclined to peace, friendly, pacific," from peace + -ful. Meaning "tranquil, calm, full of peace" is from mid-14c. In reference to nonviolent methods of effecting social change, it is attested from 1876. Related: Peacefully; peacefulness. Peaceful coexistence (1920) originally was in regard to Soviet policy toward the capitalist West.