passive-aggressive

adjective

pas·​sive-ag·​gres·​sive ˈpa-siv-ə-ˈgre-siv 

: being, marked by, or displaying behavior characterized by the expression of negative feelings, resentment, and aggression in an unassertive passive way (as through procrastination and stubbornness)

It is passive-aggressive behavior, the donning of a mask of amiability that conceals raw antagonism toward one's competitors, even one's friends.

—Hilary De Vries

A passive-aggressive manager eschews open hostilities, in part because he feels distinctly uncomfortable with them.

—Walter Kiechel III

passive-aggressive noun

Examples of passive-aggressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pattinson has the passive-aggressive cadence and trolling thunder of the real thing down pat, with more than a bit of fairy-tale troll thrown in for good measure. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026

The boring rosters, the passive-aggressive press conferences, the endless parade of mediocre seasons — cresting and falling with an inexplicable 2021 and 2026 — has been brutal to watch. — Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 19 Aug. 2026

Still, there are strains of deeper sadness and discomfort here, largely in the passive-aggressive tension between Kim’s character and her onscreen mother (superbly played by a new recuit, veteran TV star Choi Myeonggil). — Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Amusing, yes, but this is also an act of silencing, maybe even passive-aggressive violence. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for passive-aggressive

• immunosuppressive
• aggressive
• compressive
• concessive
• depressive
• excessive
• expressive
• impressive
• obsessive
• oppressive
• possessive
• progressive

Medical Definition

passive-aggressive

1 of 2 adjective

: being, marked by, or displaying behavior characterized by expression of negative feelings, resentment, and aggression in an unassertive way (as through procrastination, stubbornness, and unwillingness to communicate)

a passive-aggressive personality

passive-aggressively adverb

passive-aggressive

2 of 2 noun

: a passive-aggressive individual