passive-aggressive
adjective
pas·sive-ag·gres·sive
ˈpa-siv-ə-ˈgre-siv 
: being, marked by, or displaying behavior characterized by the expression of negative feelings, resentment, and aggression in an unassertive passive way (as through procrastination and stubbornness)
It is passive-aggressive behavior, the donning of a mask of amiability that conceals raw antagonism toward one's competitors, even one's friends.—
Hilary De Vries
Hilary De VriesA passive-aggressive manager eschews open hostilities, in part because he feels distinctly uncomfortable with them.—Walter Kiechel III
Walter Kiechel III
passive-aggressive
noun
Examples of passive-aggressive in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Celia Weston, as Margot’s passive-aggressive Southern Belle mother, makes hay with the more serious moments near the end.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Yes, Albrecht Escher absconded with Lasher and left Sip holding the bag, with nothing but a passive-aggressive voice note on a bottle of brown liquor by way of good-bye.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
LeBron James emphasized earlier this week, in his trademark passive-aggressive manner, that the roster as presently constituted has no margin for error.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
So eventually, unspoken frustrations (socks on the floor, too many nights out, a pattern of flakiness) build into resentment, which can leak out in the form of unproductive, passive-aggressive comments or more explosive, potentially hurtful blowups.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Jan. 2025
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Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
Yes, Albrecht Escher absconded with Lasher and left Sip holding the bag, with nothing but a passive-aggressive voice note on a bottle of brown liquor by way of good-bye.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 26 Jan. 2025
LeBron James emphasized earlier this week, in his trademark passive-aggressive manner, that the roster as presently constituted has no margin for error.
—Jim Alexander, Orange County Register, 24 Jan. 2025
So eventually, unspoken frustrations (socks on the floor, too many nights out, a pattern of flakiness) build into resentment, which can leak out in the form of unproductive, passive-aggressive comments or more explosive, potentially hurtful blowups.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for passive-aggressive
Dictionary Entries Near passive-aggressive
Cite this Entry
“Passive-aggressive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/passive-aggressive. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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