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pacifist

noun/ˈpæsɪfɪst/

definition

a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable

example

As a lifelong pacifist, she denounced all forms of violence and advocated for peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

synonyms
peace activistnon-violent personpeacemaker
word origin — The term 'pacifist' derives from the French word 'pacifiste', which is based on the Latin 'pacificus', meaning 'peaceful', from 'pax' (genitive 'pacis') meaning 'peace'.

pacifist, astonishment, calamity, vortex, reversal: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 words from SAT Vocabulary Level 2 set 320. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

  1. pacifist · noun/ˈpæsɪfɪst/

    a person who believes that war and violence are unjustifiable

    As a lifelong pacifist, she denounced all forms of violence and advocated for peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

    Synonyms: peace activist, non-violent person, peacemaker

    Origin: The term 'pacifist' derives from the French word 'pacifiste', which is based on the Latin 'pacificus', meaning 'peaceful', from 'pax' (genitive 'pacis') meaning 'peace'.

  2. astonishment · noun/əˈstɑːnɪʃmənt/

    a feeling of great surprise or wonder

    To his astonishment, she had already completed the project ahead of schedule.

    Synonyms: amazement, surprise, wonder

    Origin: from Middle English 'astonisshment', from Old French 'estonnement', from 'estoner' meaning to stun, from Latin 'stupere' meaning to be amazed

  3. calamity · noun/kəˈlæm.ɪ.ti/

    an event causing great and often sudden damage or distress

    The earthquake was a devastating calamity that left thousands homeless and in need of aid.

    Synonyms: disaster, tragedy, cataclysm

    Origin: Derived from the Latin word 'calamitas', which means 'damage' or 'loss'.

  4. vortex · noun/ˈvɔrtɛks/

    a whirling mass of fluid or air, especially a swirling current or spiral motion

    The water spiraled into a powerful vortex, pulling everything within its reach towards the center.

    Synonyms: whirlwind, eddy, swirl

    Origin: Late Middle English from Latin 'vortex', meaning 'a whirl' or 'a twisting or turning motion'

  5. reversal · noun/rɪˈvɜrsl/

    the act of changing something to its opposite or undoing a previous action

    The sudden reversal of the company's fortunes surprised everyone in the industry.

    Synonyms: inversion, turnaround, undoing

    Origin: from Middle English, derived from Old French 'reversal' and Latin 'reversalis', from 'revertere', meaning 'to turn back'