Synonyms of passive

passive

adjective

ˈpa-siv 

as in resigned

receiving or enduring without offering resistance

the union rank and file were surprisingly passive about the givebacks in the new labor contract

Synonyms & Similar Words

• resigned
• obedient
• acquiescent
• tolerant
• nonresistant
• willing
• stoic
• yielding
• docile
• unresistant
• tolerating
• submissive
• compliant
• patient
• impassive
• uncomplaining
• subordinate
• forbearing
• conformist
• pliant
• tractable
• amiable
• conformable
• long-suffering
• pliable
• complying
• surrendering
• apathetic
• amenable
• unresponsive
• subservient
• uncaring
• agreeable
• guidable
• manageable
• slavish
• law-abiding
• obliging
• obeisant
• disciplined
• governable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• resistant
• resisting
• defiant
• protesting
• unyielding
• rebellious
• refractory
• uncontrollable
• contrary
• disobedient
• recalcitrant
• intractable
• unruly
• insurgent
• contumacious
• mutinous
• willful
• restive
• insubordinate
• wayward
• perverse
• ungovernable
• untoward
• balky
• wrongheaded
• headstrong
• indomitable
• undisciplined
• incompliant
• froward
• unmanageable
• dissident
• nonconformist

Synonym Chooser

How is the word passive different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of passive are idle, inactive, inert, and supine. While all these words mean "not engaged in work or activity," passive implies immobility or lack of normally expected response to an external force or influence and often suggests deliberate submissiveness or self-control.

passive resistance

When might idle be a better fit than passive?

While in some cases nearly identical to passive, idle applies to persons that are not busy or occupied or to their powers or their implements.

workers were idle in the fields

When can inactive be used instead of passive?

Although the words inactive and passive have much in common, inactive applies to anyone or anything not in action or in operation or at work.

on inactive status as an astronaut

inactive accounts

Where would inert be a reasonable alternative to passive?

While the synonyms inert and passive are close in meaning, inert as applied to things implies powerlessness to move or to affect other things; as applied to persons it suggests an inherent or habitual indisposition to activity.

inert ingredients in drugs

an inert citizenry

When is supine a more appropriate choice than passive?

The words supine and passive are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, supine applies only to persons and commonly implies abjectness or indolence.

a supine willingness to play the fool

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of passive

Sitting a lot can increase dementia risk, but activities that engage the brain may help offset that risk, unlike passive activities like watching TV that increase risk. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 25 Mar. 2026

But accuracy seems less the point than creating something that’ll wash over a passive listener. —Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 25 Mar. 2026

Paramount has described the funds as largely passive investors, saying the royal families would not have input into corporate decision-making. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 24 Mar. 2026

Somalia, for its part, is not passive: Mogadishu has made competing overtures to Washington, including offers of port access, in a bid to head off any closer US embrace of Somaliland. —Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 20 Mar. 2026