peaceful coexistence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Political
Quick answer
What does “peaceful coexistence” mean?
A state where different groups, nations, or ideologies live together without conflict or hostility, accepting their differences.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state where different groups, nations, or ideologies live together without conflict or hostility, accepting their differences.
A policy or principle advocating for tolerance and non-aggression between parties with opposing views or systems, especially in international relations or within diverse societies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The term is used identically.
Connotations
Strongly associated with 20th-century geopolitical discourse in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American English due to its prominence in U.S.-Soviet relations discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “peaceful coexistence” in a Sentence
[Nation A] and [Nation B] agreed to a policy of peaceful coexistence.The [treaty/agreement] enshrined the principle of peaceful coexistence.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “peaceful coexistence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The two communities learnt to coexist peacefully.
- We must find a way to coexist without constant rows.
American English
- The rival tech giants have to coexist peacefully in the market.
- Different faiths can peacefully coexist in the same neighborhood.
adverb
British English
- The tribes lived together peacefully and coexisted without major incident.
American English
- The companies operate peacefully, coexisting in the same industry.
adjective
British English
- They reached a peaceful coexistence agreement.
- The period was marked by a fragile, peaceful coexistence.
American English
- The goal is a peaceful coexistence framework.
- They maintained a peaceful coexistence policy for decades.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe competitors avoiding price wars or hostile takeovers.
Academic
Common in Political Science, History, and International Relations texts.
Everyday
Used in discussions about community relations, neighbourhoods, or workplace dynamics.
Technical
A specific term in political theory and diplomatic history.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “peaceful coexistence”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “peaceful coexistence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “peaceful coexistence”
- Misspelling as 'peacefull coexistence'.
- Using it to describe deep friendship or collaboration (it implies distance).
- Incorrect preposition: 'peaceful coexistence between' (correct), not 'peaceful coexistence of' for two parties.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not necessarily. It primarily means they are not in conflict and tolerate each other's existence. The relationship may be distant or even distrustful.
No. While its most famous use is in international relations, it can be applied to any distinct groups within a society, such as religious communities, ethnic groups, or rival companies.
'Coexistence' simply means existing at the same time and place. 'Peaceful coexistence' explicitly rules out hostility or conflict as part of that existence.
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in the 1950s, in the context of relations between capitalist and communist states, though the concept is older.
A state where different groups, nations, or ideologies live together without conflict or hostility, accepting their differences.
Peaceful coexistence is usually formal, academic, political in register.
Peaceful coexistence: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpiːsf(ə)l ˌkəʊɪɡˈzɪstəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpiːsf(ə)l ˌkoʊɪɡˈzɪstəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To live and let live (conceptual parallel)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of two neighbours with very different lifestyles who don't throw rocks at each other's houses – they coexist PEACEfully.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIETY/INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IS A SHARED LIVING SPACE (where parties agree on house rules).
Practice
Quiz
Which historical context is most strongly associated with the term 'peaceful coexistence'?