Word
peacemaker
Phoneticspeace·mak·er, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈpisˌmeɪkɝ/
UK/pˈiːsmeɪkɐ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who tries to help people or groups stop fighting and find a peaceful solution. You often use this for someone who steps into an argument to calm things down.
n. a person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries or mediating in a conflict. Often implies a diplomatic or neutral role in resolving disputes.
Examples
“She acted as a peacemaker during the family argument.”
“The diplomat earned a reputation as a skilled peacemaker after successfully negotiating the ceasefire between the two warring factions.”
“History remembers the prime minister as a tireless peacemaker whose commitment to dialogue eventually dismantled decades of sectarian violence.”
Examples
simple
“She acted as a peacemaker during the family argument.”
contextual
“The diplomat earned a reputation as a skilled peacemaker after successfully negotiating the ceasefire between the two warring factions.”
complex
“History remembers the prime minister as a tireless peacemaker whose commitment to dialogue eventually dismantled decades of sectarian violence.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “peacemaker” in context.
Verb
01. act as peacemaker
“The teacher had to act as peacemaker when the students started shouting.”
verb + prep + noun
02. appoint peacemaker
“The council decided to appoint a peacemaker to resolve the local dispute.”
verb + noun
03. peacemaker intervenes
“The situation only improved once a neutral peacemaker intervened.”
noun + verb
04. peacemaker mediates
“A skilled peacemaker mediates by listening to both sides of the story.”
noun + verb
Adjective
05. effective peacemaker
“The diplomat was known as an effective peacemaker in international conflicts.”
adj + noun
06. natural peacemaker
“With her calm personality, she was always the natural peacemaker in the family.”
adj + noun
07. reluctant peacemaker
“He found himself in the role of reluctant peacemaker between his two best friends.”
adj + noun
08. unlikely peacemaker
“The youngest brother emerged as an unlikely peacemaker during the heated argument.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. role of peacemaker
“She often takes on the role of peacemaker to keep the office running smoothly.”
noun + prep + noun
10. play the role of peacemaker
“He was tired of having to play the role of peacemaker every time his parents argued.”
11. serve as a neutral peacemaker
“The UN was asked to serve as a neutral peacemaker in the border region.”
12. step in as peacemaker
“The neighbor had to step in as peacemaker before the police were called.”
Usage
Often used with the verb 'act as' or 'play the role of'.
Real-World Examples
“Consistent and energetic efforts at peacemaking and mediation are urgently required but the primary peacemakers and mediators of the post-World War II order—the United States, the United Nations, and various European states and bodies—have either lost the political will, the normative drive, or the capacity to lead and support the necessary work of ending or reducing global conflicts.” “Mr Blair told Today that what made McGuinness such a "formidable foe" during the arms struggle made him such a "formidable peacemaker" later.” “**Riek Machar is a man who wears many labels: rebel leader, former vice-president, warlord and now, possibly, peacemaker.**” “Greyer and tempered by long isolation, he now braves the skepticism of many Turks and some of his own fighters to don the mantle of peacemaker.” Etymology
Compound of peace + maker. First attested in the Tyndale Bible from 1526, as a translation of Koine Greek εἰρηνοποιοί (eirēnopoioí, “peacemaker”), a hapax legomenon found in the New Testament. (The Wycliffe Bible from 1395 instead uses "pesible men", to translate Latin pacifici from the Vulgate)
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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