passively

adverb

Definition of passivelynext
as in meekly

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of passively Traveling such vast distances between our solar system's most remote objects means New Horizons often cruises for months at a time with little to do other than passively collect data. — Brett Tingley, Space.com, 8 July 2026 The answers are still emerging, but this study offers hope that rather than passively enduring the storm, young white sharks showed flexibility, mobility and resilience. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026 The people who are going to make a difference are not the ones who seek relaxation and passively use AI to work less. — David Brooks, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026 Antares Nuclear’s Mark-0 employs sodium heat pipes that passively transfer heat away from the reactor core without using power. — Idaho Statesman, 25 June 2026 This is a problem because the electrolyzer is not just passively receiving electricity; its chemical reactions actively depend on it. — New Atlas, 21 June 2026 Cancers don’t just passively exist in the body. — Charles J. Dimitroff, The Conversation, 12 June 2026 Even better, unlike passively watching a show, cooking requires partners to engage with one another and work toward a shared goal. — Mark Travers, CNBC, 7 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passively
  1. meekly
  2. tamely
  3. calmly
  4. placidly
  5. peacefully
  6. mildly
  7. coolly
  8. serenely
Adverb
  • Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
  • Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.
    — Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • Once the players returned to the field, Diaz inexplicably tried a Panenka-style chip and his weak penalty sailed tamely into the arms of Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
  • Dominik Szoboszlai had just squandered a golden chance by firing tamely into the arms of Emiliano Martinez after winning the ball back high up the field when the Kop parked their frustration and vocally declared their unwavering faith in the Dutchman.
    — James Pearce, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Definition of tamely
Adverb
  • His agent, girlfriend and teammates, like Rojas, also helped Alfonzo approach the game calmly.
    — Liana Handler Follow, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Captain Harry Kane calmly stepped up and buried the penalty, restoring England's two-goal cushion at 3-1.
    — Alejandro Avila, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of calmly
Adverb
  • The waters of a continent – west from the Rockies and east from the Appalachians – pour into it, sometimes violently, sometimes placidly.
    — Alfredo Sosa, Christian Science Monitor, 24 June 2026
  • Nature is no big deal in Cristian Mungiu‘s superb new drama of systemic order and individual disarray, which takes in the sprawling waters and monochrome mountainscapes of the region with a placidly appreciative eye.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 May 2026
Definition of placidly
Adverb
  • But peacefully speaking out for civilians suffering in war is neither terrorism nor extremism.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • Advertisement Beef Season 2 (Netflix) Can love and capitalism peacefully coexist?
    — Judy Berman, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of peacefully
Adverb
  • Ruiz was making his first start since Spain’s World Cup opener, replacing Pedri in the lineup in a mildly surprising tactical decision by De La Fuente — whose later substitute decisions paid off even more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 July 2026
  • Skipping Water First Thing in the Morning After several hours of sleep, your body naturally wakes up mildly dehydrated.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 7 July 2026
Definition of mildly
Adverb
  • Malik Tillman stepped up and coolly scored on the free kick, his shot deflecting into the net off a Belgian player who was jumping as part of a wall.
    — Andrew Greif, NBC news, 7 July 2026
  • The Australian queen of coolly-observing-bohemia is one of my favorite 2026 discoveries.
    — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 2 July 2026
Definition of coolly
Adverb
  • Ahead, Toyota team principal Kobayashi ran serenely to the finish in the No 7, even with Frijns’ pass on Buemi increasing the pressure.
    — Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 14 June 2026
  • After 50 minutes of self-satisfaction, the hero fades serenely into a sunset that Dudamel made miraculously mystical.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Definition of serenely

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Cite this Entry

“Passively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passively. Accessed 13 Jul. 2026.

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