PASSIVELY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

passively

adverb

Definition of passively

as in meekly

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 Unlike navigational systems that work actively with satellites to know their exact locations, quantum sensors work passively to make measurements of physical properties like gravitational or magnetic fields to determine their position. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026 Because beamforming reports are broadcast back to the access point in the clear, a Wi-Fi adapter within range can passively record them in monitor mode. — New Atlas, 26 Aug. 2026 Teams that use this scheme typically play more passively up front. — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 The discussion becomes richer because the audience is no longer receiving information passively. — Chiara Alzati, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Someone who occasionally feels warm may do fine with a gel or phase-change topper that passively wicks heat. — Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 20 Aug. 2026 Just like the good teachers of Philadelphia’s most (in)famous elementary school, Einhorn, his fellow directors, and the show’s cinematographers and camera team do not want viewers to be passengers, passively receiving information. — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Aug. 2026 The Insulin Resistance Trends feature uses the watch’s existing sensors to passively monitor metabolic health. — Andrew Gebhart, PC Magazine, 13 Aug. 2026 The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act means the court cannot order Meta to request children to submit personal data or be passively tracked online, even for age verification purposes. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for passively

Adverb

When Luke tells him, meekly, not to touch Crystal, Max only wants to know who the young man is.

— JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.

— Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 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

In the episode when the Duffys visit Harvard, Paloma’s older sister Evita calmly notes that she herself was canceled for her beliefs while attending University of Chicago.

— Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026
Trump’s top trade official more calmly downplayed the dispute.

— Bill Barrow, Fortune, 25 Aug. 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

After all, their eventual conversation about kids with Samir’s girlfriend takes place while Issa is peacefully tied up in a chair.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
Jasper’s Death In Heller’s book, Jasper passes somewhat peacefully in his sleep when Hig takes him up to the mountains to camp and fish.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of peacefully

Adverb

But, when Ukrainian negotiators push for more detainees, their Russian counterparts tend to respond coolly.

— Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026
After controlling the ball twice with his head, Bouanga sprinted into the box and coolly lifted it over goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland and into the net.

— Josh Gross, Daily News, 26 July 2026

Definition of coolly

Adverb

The cumulative impression of Alice that the book leaves is of someone moving serenely through life, meeting fond blessings and awful curses both with the same calm equanimity.

— Ian Penman, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026
The camera then panned to a cool and collected Moore, who could be seen serenely watching the frenzy from a chair in the corner.

— Lara Walsh, InStyle, 25 July 2026

Definition of serenely

Browse Nearby Words

passive

passively

passiveness

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Passively.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passively. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of passively

adverb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

gumption

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Popular in Wordplay

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Games & Quizzes