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

Moore’s Beth, on the other hand, is steely and passive-aggressive, a textbook example of narcissism, and cannot bring herself to grapple with her grief and instead curdles from the inside out. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025

My roommate has a habit of leaving extremely specific, passive-aggressive notes all over our apartment about cleaning, dishes and other household chores. —Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025

In another case, a senior executive received a passive-aggressive, snarky Slack message that struck a nerve. —Naz Beheshti, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025

Or as the passive-aggressive managing editor (Sabrina Impacciatore) calls the digital version in her syrupy Italian accent: TTT online. —Nina Metz Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 5 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