Skip to main content
noncombative

noncombative

5.3
Calm and not wanting to fight or argue
  • adjective
  • /nɒn.kəmˈbæt.ɪv/
translation icon : no combativo
  • Through their noncombative relations and rhetoric with the U.S. government, the Choctaws were one of the first of the southern tribes to secure territory west of the Mississippi.

Examples

  • The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health is now reviewing this recommendation to consider if the RNLE might be applicable for some patient handling tasks, such as those where the person being lifted is noncombative or where there is little or no movement of the patient during the lifting task.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Or would you rather see them slaughtered like peaceful, noncombative sheep?

    Blog text (5)
  • If the RNLE is determined to be applicable for patient lifting, it would have to be assumed that the patient is able to follow directions and is noncombative.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Tom is a noncombative child who prefers peaceful solutions over arguments.

  • If confronted, try to express yourself in a noncombative way to avoid escalating the situation.

  • The teacher encouraged a noncombative atmosphere in the classroom to foster cooperation among students.

Synonyms

peaceful
vsnoncombative
144 1.0

Not using violence when protesting or solving a conflict

is the general personal avoidance of fights and arguments rather than activism
nonviolent
vsnoncombative
44 4.0

Not using violence or physical force

is broader, also covering avoidance of arguments and unfriendly attitudes
pacifist
vsnoncombative
8 5.3

Not supporting war or violence and preferring peaceful solutions

is about personal avoidance of fights and arguments rather than political stance
peaceable
vsnoncombative
7 4.1

Calm and not wanting to fight or argue

is similar but stresses refusal to fight or argue rather than calmness
nonconfrontational
vsnoncombative
1 5.8

Avoids arguments and direct conflict with other people

is broader, covering general peaceful behavior not only avoidance of direct arguments
nonaggressive
vsnoncombative
1 4.2

Calm and gentle, not likely to attack or fight

has the same meaning but uses a different negative wording for personality
pacifistic
vsnoncombative
1 7.8

Against war and violence, preferring peaceful ways

is less ideologically driven and centers on everyday avoidance of fights or arguments
noncontentious
vsnoncombative
6.7

Not likely to argue or cause disagreement

is about avoiding fights and arguments in personal behavior
nonhostile
vsnoncombative
4.3

Calm and not threatening to others

includes that neutral attitude but also means avoiding active fights or arguments
nonoffensive
vsnoncombative
3.5

Does not attack or harm and serves only to defend

focuses more broadly on avoiding fights and arguments rather than careful intent
unwarlike
vsnoncombative
6.2

Not aggressive and wants peace

applies more to nations or objects and not personal unwillingness to fight or argue
warless
vsnoncombative
5.3

Free from war or fighting and focused on peace

refers to individual behaviour avoiding fights and arguments rather than national peace

Antonyms

311 3.7

Behaving in a hostile way and ready to attack or argue

31 6.1

Being ready to argue or fight

How Aggressive

violent
  • Offensive
2.5
aggressive
311 3.7
combative
31 6.1
noncombative
5.3
peaceful
428 1.0
pacifist
8 5.3

Surface Forms

noncombative positive

Morphology

noncombative = combative (transparent) = non + combat + ive

The adjective 'combative' is transparently 'combat' + '-ive', and 'non-' straightforwardly negates that adjective.

Etymology

Noncombative comes from non- meaning 'not' and combat meaning 'to fight', so it literally parts into 'not' + 'fight'. So, noncombative describes a person or attitude that is 'not willing to fight' and is calm and peaceful.