passive-aggressive

adjective

pas·​sive-ag·​gres·​sive ˈpa-siv-ə-ˈgre-siv How to pronounce passive-aggressive (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for passive-aggressive

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of passive-aggressive was in 1945

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Passive-aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passive-aggressive. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

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
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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