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peaceful

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peaceful
peaceful S3 /ˈpiːsfəl/ adjective
 Word Family: noun: peace, peacefulness, pacifier, pacifism, pacifist; adjective: peaceful, peaceable, pacifist; adverb: peacefully, peaceably; verb: pacify
1. a peaceful time, place, or situation is quiet and calm without any worry or excitement:
    We had a peaceful afternoon without the children.
    It’s very peaceful out here in the woods.
2. not involving war, fighting, or violence
    peaceful protest/demonstration
    There was a large but peaceful demonstration outside the US Embassy.
    peaceful solution/conclusion/settlement
    We must try to find a peaceful solution to the conflict.
    peaceful means/way/manner/method
    a political change achieved by peaceful and democratic means
    the use of nuclear power for peaceful purposes
    The countries in Europe have established a peaceful co-existence (=they exist together without fighting).
3. peaceful people do not like violence and do not behave in a violent way ⇨ non-violent:
    a noisy but peaceful group of demonstrators
—peacefully adverb:
    She was sleeping peacefully.
—peacefulness noun [uncountable]
     
COLLOCATIONS
(for Meaning 2)
■ nouns
    a peaceful protest/demonstration 5,000 students began a peaceful protest which turned into a violent confrontation with police.
    a peaceful solution/resolution/settlement The authorities want a peaceful solution to the hostage crisis.
    peaceful coexistence (=when people live together without fighting or arguing) Blacks and whites lived in peaceful coexistence.
    a peaceful transition (=a peaceful change from one system to another) They hope to achieve a peaceful transition to democracy.
■ phrases
    by/through peaceful means We must redistribute power in this country by peaceful means.
    for peaceful purposes A Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed that the nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes.
     
THESAURUS
■ a quiet place
    quiet without much noise: It’s so quiet here at night. | This is the quietest room in the house to work in.
    silent with no noise at all: The room fell silent (=became silent).
    peaceful (also tranquil especially written) quiet in a pleasant and relaxing way: Life’s more peaceful in the countryside. | The hotel is set in tranquil surroundings.
    sleepy [only before noun] quiet – used about a town or village where there are not many people and very little happens: a sleepy fishing village