1
as in acquiescence
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2
as in inertia
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of passivity
Seeking copper wire, preparing a poultice, pouring a bath — these turn passivity into agency.
—
Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Only Clark’s passivity seems more out of the boredom of having peaked at local-news celebrity status than anything else.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
None of his subjects question this way of thinking, and their zomboid passivity ultimately feels more creepy than charming.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Her passivity in the face of her friend’s suicide leads to her confinement in the psychiatric hospital.
—David Tucker, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passivity
Jan Steyn, The Dial, 10 Mar. 2026
Only Clark’s passivity seems more out of the boredom of having peaked at local-news celebrity status than anything else.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 9 Mar. 2026
None of his subjects question this way of thinking, and their zomboid passivity ultimately feels more creepy than charming.
—Justin Chang, New Yorker, 6 Mar. 2026
Her passivity in the face of her friend’s suicide leads to her confinement in the psychiatric hospital.
—David Tucker, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for passivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passivity
Noun
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But as the sexist and racist nature of the MAGA machine has gained mainstream acquiescence if not acceptance, the need to keep up the appearance of diversity is less and less.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
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Moss’ dour expression, over-relied upon for silent exposition throughout six seasons, conveys terror in the here and now, as well as for a future where fear is replaced by acquiescence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Cuban model isn’t working, and its allies—China, Russia, and the pragmatic wing of Latin American progressivism—seem to have grown tired of the government’s inertia.—
Carlos Manuel Alvarez,
Time,
24 Apr. 2026
-
In space, only inertia causes objects to move.—
Chelsea Gohd,
Space.com,
20 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
-
In Killers of the Flower Moon, his Ernest Burkhart starts off as a mopey, weak-minded World War One veteran, eager to do anything for his godfather uncle (Robert De Niro), but there’s still a certain likability to his dim-bulb submissiveness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But consumer and app developer apathy have both kept Vision Pro from getting multiple must-have killer apps the way that the iPhone (and to a lesser extent, the iPad) did.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
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The suggestion that Iran should be replaced by Italy at this year’s World Cup drew a mix of embarrassment and apathy from Azzurri fans on Thursday, with Italian media reminding readers that the idea has a very familiar feel.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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However, federal law requires that judges review arbitration awards with a high degree of deference and should only vacate them if there’s an extraordinary defect, such as the award was procured by fraud or the arbitrator failed to consider relevant evidence or follow basic legal principles.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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This type of deference to the executive, which relies on presidential good faith, now amounts to judicial abdication.—
Gregg Nunziata,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Despite his relative passiveness, Brighton’s collective structure is strong.—
Matt Pyzdrowski,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The Augustinian tradition emphasizes fraternity, humility, and reflection on our disordered desires.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
27 Apr. 2026
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There’s a lack of humility, a lack of dignity, a lack of understanding of the world, a lack of embracing other perspectives.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Their apps seem clearly designed, much like TikTok and Candy Crush, to keep users scrolling and tapping in a hypnotic stupor.—
McKay Coppins,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2026
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Patrons — many just as panicked and some in a drunken stupor — ran by her.—
Emiliano Tahui Gómez,
Austin American Statesman,
8 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Passivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passivity. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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