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 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 Advantages Over ‘Shark Skin’ Processing The strength of DMR's aerodynamic drag reduction lies in its extremely high passivity and omni-directional nature. — Ritsuko Kawai, Wired News, 24 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
  • With Taiwan’s 2028 elections approaching, sustained American support strengthens voices favoring self-defense over acquiescence to Beijing.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • In any case, the Biden Administration’s grudging acquiescence now looks like the beginning of a pattern of credulous capitulation.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • Michael Hannan and John Freeman argued that the very features organizations build for reliability and accountability can generate structural inertia when conditions change.
    — ByLeonie H. Mattison, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The research above showed that distribution of sleep stages and the stage prior to waking, not duration, can impact the possibility of sleep inertia.
    — Alexandra Frost, USA Today, 17 Aug. 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
  • McGilvray also thinks apathy will be widespread for this special primary so the local Republican Party is trying to get word out.
    — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Most appalling to Graham is our collective inertia, not to say apathy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of apathy
Noun
  • These include excessive exercise, perfectionism, rule following, deference to coaches, high achievement and obsessive-compulsive traits.
    — Erin Harrop, The Conversation, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The president, himself a billionaire, has described his inclination toward appointing the ultrawealthy as deference to financial success.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 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
  • We were inculcated with the importance of charity, love toward all, good works and humility, and urged to carry those virtues into adulthood.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • They also were reared in the disparate and yet beneficial worlds of humility and attention.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of humility
Noun
  • 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
  • The sense is of a political culture reluctantly shaking off a decades-long stupor.
    — Michael Powell, The Atlantic, 30 July 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 27 Aug. 2026.

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