1
as in acquiescence
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2
as in inertia
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of passivity
None of his subjects question this way of thinking, and their zomboid passivity ultimately feels more creepy than charming.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Riddled by insecurities and passivity, George is a modern guy whose self-sabotaging behavior has cost him his job, his boyfriend, and his happiness.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Sonnenfeld warned stakeholders against passivity.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Real niceness isn’t people-pleasing or passivity.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passivity
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Riddled by insecurities and passivity, George is a modern guy whose self-sabotaging behavior has cost him his job, his boyfriend, and his happiness.
—Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 24 Feb. 2026
Ultimately, Sonnenfeld warned stakeholders against passivity.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 18 Feb. 2026
Real niceness isn’t people-pleasing or passivity.
—Kelly Ehlers, Rolling Stone, 10 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passivity
Noun
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This is a story that traces the path to justice for mass atrocity in the face of public acquiescence.—
Sheila Coronel,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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Kelley, Offerman, Fanning, and especially Pfeiffer do enough of the hard work to make acquiescence rather easy — and the ensuing journey a worthy reward.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Larger tires increase rotational inertia and lengthen the lever arm between hub and road, forcing the braking system to work harder.—
Bryan Rogala,
Outside,
19 Mar. 2026
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The only thing that could work against it at this point is inertia—and enthusiasm for Sinners, a smash hit that picked up the most Oscar nominations this year and seems to engender a similar amount of love in the room at every industry event.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
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In Killers of the Flower Moon, his Ernest Burkhart starts off as a mopey, weak-minded World War One veteran, eager to do anything for his godfather uncle (Robert De Niro), but there’s still a certain likability to his dim-bulb submissiveness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The impossibility of keeping up breeds apathy and stymies opposition.—
Steve Chapman,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2026
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After decades of apathy--which has pushed the nation to a fiscal precipice--some officials are now reaching across the aisle to propose solutions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The Federal Arbitration Act and other laws instruct judges to give substantial deference to arbitrators.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
16 Mar. 2026
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For the company’s 24th birthday, which also falls on National Pi Day in deference to the date being 3/14, the launch commentator had a special countdown and felicitation.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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And perhaps this whole saga illuminates another reason why voters prefer to make young hunks wait until their late 30s, as Jordan did, to get their Oscar — to teach them humility.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
16 Mar. 2026
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Beyond her remarkable talent, Carina leads with kindness and humility.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Their apps seem clearly designed, much like TikTok and Candy Crush, to keep users scrolling and tapping in a hypnotic stupor.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
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Patrons — many just as panicked and some in a drunken stupor — ran by her.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Such meekness is understandable from him.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
26 Feb. 2026
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Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passivity. Accessed 23 Mar. 2026.
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