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
And that, passive-aggressive or not, is a properly mild punishment.
—Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Conversations could feel emotionally loaded, passive-aggressive and difficult to navigate, especially if those involved are going above and beyond to be in control.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Drilling this dichotomy further into our minds is the passive-aggressive argument between Danny and Nia in front of a literal rollercoaster during the group trip to San Diego.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
As a result, vaguebooking becomes a passive-aggressive pacifier to soothe the discomfort of explicitly addressing disagreements and communicating one’s feelings.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passive-aggressive
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Judith Martin, Mercury News, 28 May 2026
Conversations could feel emotionally loaded, passive-aggressive and difficult to navigate, especially if those involved are going above and beyond to be in control.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 28 May 2026
Drilling this dichotomy further into our minds is the passive-aggressive argument between Danny and Nia in front of a literal rollercoaster during the group trip to San Diego.
—Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 May 2026
As a result, vaguebooking becomes a passive-aggressive pacifier to soothe the discomfort of explicitly addressing disagreements and communicating one’s feelings.
—Charles Trepany, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
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 5 Jun. 2026.
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