Antimilitarism is a political philosophy that opposes war and militarism, and advocates for the reduction or abolition of military forces. Antimilitarists believe that war and violence are not effective means of solving conflicts and that peaceful alternatives should be pursued instead. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of antimilitarist, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Antimilitarist is a term that describes someone who opposes militarism and war. According to Merriam-Webster, an antimilitarist is “a person who opposes militarism or war as a means of settling disputes.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines an antimilitarist as “a person who opposes militarism or the establishment and maintenance of a standing army.”
Origin
The term antimilitarist originated in the late 19th century, during a time of growing opposition to war and militarism in Europe. The first recorded use of the term was in 1881, in an article published in the French newspaper Le Temps. The term was used to describe the growing movement of people who were opposed to the arms race and the growing militarism of European nations.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of antimilitarist is consistent across different dictionaries. It refers to someone who is opposed to war and militarism, and who believes that peaceful alternatives should be pursued instead.
Associations
Antimilitarism is often associated with pacifism, which is the belief that violence and war are never justified. Antimilitarists may also be associated with the peace movement, which advocates for peaceful solutions to conflicts and the reduction of military spending.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of antimilitarist include pacifist, peace activist, and anti-war activist.
Antonyms
The antonyms of antimilitarist include militarist, warmonger, and hawk.
The same root words
The root words of antimilitarist are “anti-” which means against, and “militarist” which refers to someone who supports militarism. Other words with the same root words include antifascist, anti-authoritarian, and anti-capitalist.
Example Sentences
- The candidate was an antimilitarist and campaigned on a platform of reducing military spending.
- The peace movement is made up of pacifists and antimilitarists who believe in nonviolence.
- The writer was an outspoken antimilitarist who wrote extensively about the horrors of war.