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
Hilary De VriesA passive-aggressive manager eschews open hostilities, in part because he feels distinctly uncomfortable with them.—Walter Kiechel III
Walter Kiechel III
passive-aggressive
noun
Examples of passive-aggressive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The prickly relationship between Suzie and her prickly, passive-aggressive mother-in-law, Noriko (actor, singer, woodcut artist Judy Ongg, quite wonderful) is intentionally frustrating and beautifully played.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Joy and company must make room for a new set of emotions, led by Anxiety, an orange-toned bundle of nerves who talks a mile a minute, sports a passive-aggressive grimace of a smile, and offers ten solutions for every problem; even her hair seems to be multitasking.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
Such one-liners can’t compare to the memorable quips of a Tyrion Lannister or an Olenna Tyrell, and make even the usually entertaining Small Council meetings among passive-aggressive royal advisers feel perfunctory.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 16 June 2024
The mother, Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick), is a micromanaging, passive-aggressive control freak.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for passive-aggressive 
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Joy and company must make room for a new set of emotions, led by Anxiety, an orange-toned bundle of nerves who talks a mile a minute, sports a passive-aggressive grimace of a smile, and offers ten solutions for every problem; even her hair seems to be multitasking.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 17 June 2024
Such one-liners can’t compare to the memorable quips of a Tyrion Lannister or an Olenna Tyrell, and make even the usually entertaining Small Council meetings among passive-aggressive royal advisers feel perfunctory.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 16 June 2024
The mother, Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick), is a micromanaging, passive-aggressive control freak.
—Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for passive-aggressive
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'passive-aggressive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near passive-aggressive
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“Passive-aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passive-aggressive. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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