passivity

noun

Definition of passivitynext
1
as in acquiescence

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2
as in inertia

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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 passivity Trey posted high contact rates and patience bordering on passivity at showcases. — Keith Law, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Subcommittees still do their work, but risks arrive late, management over-curates information and directors drift into either passivity or interference. — David Ribott, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026 Today Twain would be startled by the passivity of a once-mighty Congress that has all but crumbled in the face of pressure from the White House. — Ron Chernow, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 The war with Iran shows why congressional passivity is especially dangerous. — Paul Oestreicher, Hartford Courant, 10 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for passivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passivity
  1. acquiescence
  2. inertia
  3. submissiveness
  4. apathy
  5. deference
  6. passiveness
  7. humility
  8. stupor
Noun
  • Their acquiescence to this encroachment on their powers has made these politicians increasingly dependent on a dysfunctional national government.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But many assumptions that Stratos’ investors or Utah politicians might have had about Box Elder County – about either the acquiescence of its people or the barrenness of its landscape – have been proved wrong over the past few months.
    — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • The Stanford researchers estimated that sellers can roughly double revenue because of consumer inertia, when people forget or put off canceling, and cancellation friction, when ending a subscription takes too much time or effort.
    — Barbara Booth, CNBC, 27 Sep. 2026
  • For more than two decades, bad science and bureaucratic inertia have resulted in women and physicians having an incomplete view of HRT.
    — Laura Trujillo, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of inertia
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness
Noun
  • His final essay collection asks many provocative questions about industrialism and apathy, but (perhaps wisely) offers no solutions to the world’s ills.
    — Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, the 57-year-old has not hidden his apathy for Hollywood.
    — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of apathy
Noun
  • Jeff Bezos is one of the richest men in the world, so he’s used to being treated with certain deference and most doors being open to him.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026
  • And the most important one in this context is Chevron deference.
    — Nilay Patel, The Verge, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of deference
Noun
  • Failing to generate a takeaway completed the trilogy of passiveness.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2026
  • The little girl could be heard well over a rowdy crowd that had about been lulled into passiveness — and eventually, boos in the fifth round — in the humdrum title fight.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of passiveness
Noun
  • Guys that really have some humility about them, guys that have the ability to keep the main thing the main thing.
    — Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 3 Oct. 2026
  • His talent has nothing to do with his genes, and yet his reverence for his parents, Philip and Mimi, envelops him in soulful humility.
    — Olivia Wilde, Time, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of humility
Noun
  • The Rams’ decision to arrive in Melbourne the day before the game appeared to leave them in a stupor.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Patients may experience a very high fever, headaches, neck pain, stupor, disorientation, muscle weakness and other serious symptoms.
    — Irene Wright, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of stupor

Browse Nearby Words

passiveness
passivity
pass muster
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Cite this Entry

“Passivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passivity. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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