peacefully

/ˈpiːsfəli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpiːsfəli/ (ame, ipa) · /-fəlē -li/ (ame, mw)

peacefully — adverb

1. without fighting or force, so that a disagreement or public situation stays free

1.副詞B2
釋義

without fighting or force, so that a disagreement or public situation stays free from attacks and harm.

例句

The protest ended peacefully after local teachers spoke with the crowd.

verb + peacefully with protests or disputes

Both armies left the border peacefully before the winter storm arrived.

同義詞
  • nonviolently

    more formal and often used in politics or activism

  • amicably

    more formal; especially used when people settle a disagreement

  • harmoniously

    stresses people living together well over time, not just one event

反義詞
  • violently

    with physical force or attack

  • aggressively

    with threatening or hostile behavior, even without actual fighting

文法句型

verb + peacefully

用法筆記

Common with verbs for ending conflict, protest, war, or political change. Distinguish from sense 2 (CALMLY): this sense focuses on the absence of violence, not simply a quiet mood.

常見錯誤

❌The soldiers left quietly after the deal.
✅The soldiers left peacefully after the deal.
💡'quietly' only describes little noise; 'peacefully' shows there was no fighting.

2. in a still, gentle way that shows no worry, anger, or sudden movement.

2.副詞B1
釋義

in a still, gentle way that shows no worry, anger, or sudden movement.

例句

Mina sat peacefully by the window and watched the rain.

peacefully with sit / rest / wait

The baby slept peacefully through the noise from the kitchen.

common collocation: sleep peacefully

同義詞
  • calmly

    close in meaning, but often focuses more on self-control in a difficult moment

  • quietly

    focuses on little sound, not necessarily inner calm

  • serenely

    more literary and suggests a deep, beautiful calm

反義詞
  • restlessly

    unable to stay still or comfortable

  • anxiously

    showing worry or nervous fear

  • noisily

    with a lot of sound rather than quiet calm

文法句型

verb + peacefully

用法筆記

Often used with verbs like 'sleep', 'rest', 'sit', 'lie', and 'die'. Unlike sense 1 (WITHOUT VIOLENCE), it can describe one person or animal in a quiet state, with no idea of conflict at all.

常見錯誤

❌Grandpa died calmly in his sleep.
✅Grandpa died peacefully in his sleep.
💡for death or rest, 'peacefully' suggests no pain, struggle, or disturbance.