Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

inverted passive

noun
Save Word

Definition of inverted passive

: a passive construction in which the subject of the passive verb corresponds to the indirect object of the verb in an active construction (as in “he was awarded a medal by the club”)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Learn More about inverted passive

Statistics for inverted passive

Cite this Entry

“Inverted passive.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inverted%20passive. Accessed 8 December 2019.

Comments on inverted passive

What made you want to look up inverted passive? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

circumscribe

Listen to the pronounciation of circumscribe

to constrict the range or activity of

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Semantic Drift Quiz

  • a twisty river
  • Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Dictionary Devil

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games