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passivity

noun

Definition of passivitynext
1
as in acquiescence

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Dissimilar Words
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 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 Political leaders and regulators have failed in parallel, whether through misunderstanding, passivity, or fascination with the technology itself. — Christopher Marquis, Time, 30 May 2026 At times this novel reminded me of Sophie Kemp’s Paradise Logic, because Newton is similarly interested in the more deranging aspects of heterosexual coupling, and a certain kind of femme passivity. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 26 May 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
  • 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
  • Oil has long funded the Gulf’s expensive social contract, in which governments provide citizens with cushy jobs and high-quality services in return for political acquiescence.
    — Dina Esfandiary, Foreign Affairs, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • Those struggling with sleep inertia could benefit from multiple alarms or hitting snooze.
    — Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The abundance critique is that there are abundant opportunities to grow being held back by excessive regulation, planning and conditions of the sort mentioned above, which can create inertia in the system.
    — Mariana Mazzucato, Fortune, 8 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
  • Lazy is a character judgment requiring atonement, while apathy is a syndrome requiring treatment.
    — Michael P.H. Stanley, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026
  • And yet the core lesson of illness is the opposite of apathy.
    — Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of apathy
Noun
  • Kanter could raise the same basic arguments in an arbitration, but it would be conducted in private, and awards by arbitrators are difficult to challenge in court because judges are obligated to give high deference to those awards.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • But the governor offered his surprising deference to a political rival for an office he’s long been known to have eyes on during an interview conducted by CNN anchor Jake Tapper in a different state — Montana.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of deference
Noun
  • 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
  • Despite his relative passiveness, Brighton’s collective structure is strong.
    — Matt Pyzdrowski, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Definition of passiveness
Noun
  • She was not obligated to be so open, but her humility unlocked me.
    — David Elkowitz, STAT, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Rovelli argues for a change in view that is not a defeat but a new kind of humility in the face of the universe's vast complexity.
    — Adam Frank, NPR, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of humility
Noun
  • 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
  • Fernández’s theory is that Mark must have told the women the code to his safe in his pliant stupor.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 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 17 Sep. 2026.

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