as in meekly
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Recent Examples of passively
Compared with those who primarily consumed political information passively and without engaging, active participants were far more likely to report losing sleep, losing their temper and feeling unable to disengage from politics.
—
Stephen Neely, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
There's also a shallow pool at the base of the main building that helps passively cool the interior.
—New Atlas, 28 Feb. 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
And there just isn’t a way to passively cool a 60 kilowatt AI data center rack quickly enough to avoid the problems and associated costs of insufficient cooling.
—Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
No one needs to stoically, passively wait for whatever life might add or subtract, surrendering free will to fate without fighting back.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026
The effect isn’t passively observant but, rather, rigorously formal, embodying Depardon’s own concentrated engagement and demanding the same involvement of viewers.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Not passively reading about it.
—Matt Shumer, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
For anyone who has only passively kept up with the Epstein story, this is hard to wrap one’s head around.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Stephen Neely, The Conversation, 3 Mar. 2026
There's also a shallow pool at the base of the main building that helps passively cool the interior.
—New Atlas, 28 Feb. 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
And there just isn’t a way to passively cool a 60 kilowatt AI data center rack quickly enough to avoid the problems and associated costs of insufficient cooling.
—Big Think, 24 Feb. 2026
No one needs to stoically, passively wait for whatever life might add or subtract, surrendering free will to fate without fighting back.
—Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2026
The effect isn’t passively observant but, rather, rigorously formal, embodying Depardon’s own concentrated engagement and demanding the same involvement of viewers.
—Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026
Not passively reading about it.
—Matt Shumer, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2026
For anyone who has only passively kept up with the Epstein story, this is hard to wrap one’s head around.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passively
Adverb
-
Are members of Congress really supposed to sit meekly and quietly while the president uses the rostrum of their chamber to abuse and insult them in the ugliest language?—
David Frum,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2026
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Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.—
Katy Huff,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 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
-
And she has been struck by how calmly everyone lines up to enter the shelters.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The footage shows the gunman walking calmly through a parking area before raising the rifle and firing at a pedestrian off camera.—
Austin Sanders,
Austin American Statesman,
5 Mar. 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
-
These reasons are grounded in the threat Iran perpetually poses and the near impossibility that the regime will ever change its behavior or step aside peacefully.—
Colin Pascal,
Baltimore Sun,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The provincial government of Sindh in a statement also urged citizens to express their views peacefully and warned against engaging in violence.—
Adil Jawad,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Yes, fine ash is mildly abrasive and can be used gently with a damp cloth.—
Daley Quinn,
Southern Living,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Now a Heisman Trophy winner and national champion, Mendoza is considered bound for Brady’s Raiders by virtually all predictions and mock drafts — or anyone who is even mildly informed on this year’s draft.—
David Furones,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
However, as Nottingham Forest’s Nicolas Dominguez raced to close him down, Szoboszlai coolly took responsibility.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
When Samantha coolly responds no more than once, Baines can’t take it.—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
23 Feb. 2026
Adverb
-
Head to Rin-Tei, a tiny and serenely spare spot at the intersection of Crystal Springs Road and El Camino in San Mateo that oozes zen.—
Laura Ness,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
-
For nearly four decades, the foundation operated serenely.—
Alice Gregory,
New Yorker,
16 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passively. Accessed 8 Mar. 2026.
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