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
-
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
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
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
-
Instead, choose two or three individuals who understand the issue and can think calmly.—
Fazila Shahid,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
-
His work is filled with people talking politely, calmly, and rationally about incredibly monstrous things.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
13 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
-
In both novels, the couples disappear to live more peacefully away from the places where the doomed obsessions first began.—
Meg Walters,
Glamour,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Its sunrise alarm wakes you up peacefully.—
Claire Peltier,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
But keep in mind that boric acid is mildly toxic to humans and other animals, so keep it away from pets and kids.—
Rabekah Henderson,
The Spruce,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Stine, who Forbes says is dyslexic and mildly autistic, also is a math and data wiz and a formidable negotiator.—
Donnelle Eller,
Des Moines Register,
2 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Two hours after the deadline swept past the Broncos’ building in Dove Valley, their then-22-year-old receiver at the center of the fanbase’s buzz sat at his locker, coolly pulling on his gear.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Thiago equalized for Brentford nine minutes later but West Ham was ahead again before halftime when Bowen coolly converted a penalty kick.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Mar. 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 14 Mar. 2026.
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