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

If this premiere is any indicator, Keiarna is going to have to sharpen her digs a bit so that Wendy doesn’t get to easily dismiss or minimize what clearly seems to be a passive-aggressive or condescending subtext in their dynamic. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025

The department’s content warnings include mild romantic situations and notions of matchmaking, gentle social satire, occasional passive-aggressive dialogue and very mild suggestive themes (but nothing explicit). —Eric E. Harrison, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2025

Rather than fighting this inevitable tide, Köhler closely examines the subject without didacticism, filtering it through a passive-aggressive relationship drama, until only its most potent ingredients remain. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 28 Sep. 2025

There likely were those who heard that, or saw the quote, and rolled their eyes, given LeBron’s penchant for sending passive-aggressive messages. —Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 27 Sep. 2025

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