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
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Instead of answering the question directly, Tomlin fired back with a passive-aggressive response that certainly hints at him not being overly pleased with how his quarterback played.
—MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Advertisement For those of us who’ve historically found Stause to be sanctimonious, passive-aggressive, and prone to playing the victim, there’s plenty in both her post and her behavior throughout the reunion to support that view.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Michelle comes across as an outright villain at first, talking almost exclusively in chilly, insincere corporate speak and treating her employees with passive-aggressive disregard.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
There’s no dragging each other along, no passive-aggressive comments, no punishment for needing different things.
—Mark Travers, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
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MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025
Advertisement For those of us who’ve historically found Stause to be sanctimonious, passive-aggressive, and prone to playing the victim, there’s plenty in both her post and her behavior throughout the reunion to support that view.
—Judy Berman, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Michelle comes across as an outright villain at first, talking almost exclusively in chilly, insincere corporate speak and treating her employees with passive-aggressive disregard.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2025
There’s no dragging each other along, no passive-aggressive comments, no punishment for needing different things.
—Mark Travers, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passive-aggressive
Cite this Entry
“Passive-aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passive-aggressive. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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