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

A passive-aggressive manager eschews open hostilities, in part because he feels distinctly uncomfortable with them.

—Walter Kiechel III

passive-aggressive noun

Examples of passive-aggressive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

His drinking and passive-aggressive behavior eventually led to a seven-month period of estrangement. —Fortesa Latifi, Vox, 4 Nov. 2024

Some are active and vocal in their disagreement; others take a more passive-aggressive approach. —Peter Follows, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Hal runs screaming through the halls of the U.S. Embassy in London trying to reach Kate, who at that moment happens to be having a nice (read: super passive-aggressive) chat with Grace about how Grace wants to keep Kate and Hal quiet. —Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 2 Nov. 2024

These passive-aggressive levers were used to great effect this week in one of the only genuinely thrilling episodes in quite a long time. —Shamira Ibrahim, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1945, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

passive-aggressive

1 of 2 adjective

: being, marked by, or displaying behavior characterized by expression of negative feelings, resentment, and aggression in an unassertive way (as through procrastination, stubbornness, and unwillingness to communicate)

a passive-aggressive personality

passive-aggressively adverb

passive-aggressive

2 of 2 noun

: a passive-aggressive individual