as in meekly
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Recent Examples of passively
Getting outside and doing hands-on learning is more engaging than sitting in a classroom passively learning by lecture, because active learning engages more regions of the brain, resulting in better understanding and retention of concepts.
—
Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
The president, who is the world’s oldest, sat passively as Leo read his speech in French.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Before ChatGPT, about one in three successfully figured it out, independently connecting pretty potent dots for scientific thinking rather than passively absorbing another fact.
—ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
The system is designed to operate passively, capturing data in the background without requiring interaction.
—New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2026
According to Hoskins, certain houseplant species, such as snake plants, spider plants, and Chinese evergreens, can passively remove VOCs in small quantities.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 Mar. 2026
Engagement means activities such as knitting or solving a puzzle, instead of mindlessly scrolling or passively watching a screen.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
The justices said a wristlock against a protestor passively resisting arrest doesn’t clear that hurdle.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2026
Sports stop being something to enjoy or share or connect you to your community, and become just another way to passively spend (and occasionally earn) money.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Shelley Mitchell, The Conversation, 23 Apr. 2026
The president, who is the world’s oldest, sat passively as Leo read his speech in French.
—Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026
Before ChatGPT, about one in three successfully figured it out, independently connecting pretty potent dots for scientific thinking rather than passively absorbing another fact.
—ArsTechnica, 13 Apr. 2026
The system is designed to operate passively, capturing data in the background without requiring interaction.
—New Atlas, 1 Apr. 2026
According to Hoskins, certain houseplant species, such as snake plants, spider plants, and Chinese evergreens, can passively remove VOCs in small quantities.
—Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 30 Mar. 2026
Engagement means activities such as knitting or solving a puzzle, instead of mindlessly scrolling or passively watching a screen.
—Kaan Ozcan, NBC news, 29 Mar. 2026
The justices said a wristlock against a protestor passively resisting arrest doesn’t clear that hurdle.
—Ella Lee, The Hill, 25 Mar. 2026
Sports stop being something to enjoy or share or connect you to your community, and become just another way to passively spend (and occasionally earn) money.
—Literary Hub, 26 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passively
Adverb
-
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
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
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
Adverb
-
Hoja calmly takes off his turban and places it on the villager’s head.—
Perin Gürel,
The Conversation,
22 Apr. 2026
-
Instead, focus on protecting finances and calmly presenting evidence.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
17 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
That sequence also introduces a placidly smiley Kylie Jenner playing herself on seemingly a Valium-Adderall speedball of deluded bounciness.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Often neglected are the two whorled figures, strolling placidly in the background.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
6 Dec. 2025
Adverb
-
Its goal is to help bars, businesses and residents peacefully coexist.—
Elliott Wenzler,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
My mother died peacefully, and pain-free.—
Steve Lopez,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
The early returns in Devers’ first full season in San Francisco have been, to put it mildly, bleak.—
Andrew Baggarly,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
-
School-age children who are even mildly curious about the natural world will find something to latch onto here.—
Lauren Schuster,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Most of the staff are politely, if coolly, efficient, but there were a couple of more gregarious waitstaff at the restaurant who were happily chatting with diners, explaining the provenance of various ingredients.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Apr. 2026
-
To wriggle out of Joseph’s grasp, Michael hires a brash young lawyer, John Branca, played by Miles Teller, who lends the coolly confident character a delightfully rough edge.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
23 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
One of the spaces is serenely accented in all white and features rounded paneling that can open or close depending on the client’s preference for privacy.—
Paige Reddinger,
Robb Report,
3 Apr. 2026
-
From the world’s vantage point, Los Angeles can look like a place that glides serenely along beneath a beatific sun.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passively. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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