1
as in acquiescence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in inertia
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 Gophers turned the ball over on the first possession, and their passivity and indecisiveness were most glaring with three shot-clock violations in the first half.
—
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025
There’s little Victorian stuffiness to this Watson, and much of the character’s bumbling passivity from previous adaptations has been shorn off to make room for modern, urgent frustration.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
The performance suggests a peacefully harrowing tangle, an inner hurricane of outward passivity, qualities that determine much of the movie’s architecture.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
His discoveries challenge monolithic narratives of Black passivity and illuminate the complex, often unspoken ways families endured and resisted oppression.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passivity
Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 29 Jan. 2025
There’s little Victorian stuffiness to this Watson, and much of the character’s bumbling passivity from previous adaptations has been shorn off to make room for modern, urgent frustration.
—Rory Doherty, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
The performance suggests a peacefully harrowing tangle, an inner hurricane of outward passivity, qualities that determine much of the movie’s architecture.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2025
His discoveries challenge monolithic narratives of Black passivity and illuminate the complex, often unspoken ways families endured and resisted oppression.
—Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for passivity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for passivity
Noun
-
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters Without U.S. support or Russia’s acquiescence, analysts say Europe could find its peacekeeping proposals falling flat very quickly.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
3 Mar. 2025
-
At nearly every turn, he’s been able to get away with it, often with the reluctant acquiescence of Western leaders, from George W. Bush to Angela Merkel, who looked away from his misdeeds for the sake of diplomatic comity.—
Bret Stephens,
The Mercury News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
For the past year, the Brooklyn Center for Theater Research—a theatrical collective with downtown cool—has been immersed in an evolving production of Uncle Vanya, Anton Chekhov’s timeless study of regret, inertia and longing.—
Darryn King,
Forbes,
2 Mar. 2025
-
In her daily life, nothing that was felt could be acted upon; what could be acted upon followed routines of inertia or necessity.—
Anelise Chen,
The Atlantic,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Kennedy’s response to the measles outbreak, like those of others in his movement, hints that this unusual degree of apathy is likely to continue.—
Benjamin Mazer,
The Atlantic,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Apathy and Feeling Disconnected Associated with depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety disorders is a feeling of apathy and a lack of connection to others and surroundings.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The biggest spotlight has been on Mr. Trump’s very public effort to broker a quick peace in Ukraine, which has entailed previously unthinkable U.S. deference to Moscow’s wishes.—
Fred Weir,
The Christian Science Monitor,
5 Mar. 2025
-
The odds of that petition succeeding would be very low as courts are obligated under the law to accord high deference to arbitration decisions.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
During Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset as a sign of humility, submission to God and sympathy for the poor and hungry.—
Imad Isseid and Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2025
-
Friedland builds her drama through sharp honesty, and tough as its material may be, few films are so tonally flexible, so able to turn on a dime: stray moments of tenderness, humility, even absurdity poke through, with a love and care for Ruth shown by characters and creators alike.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Slim, chiselled Tom wakes from his stupor, newly determined to prove his haters wrong.—
Vinson Cunningham,
The New Yorker,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Symptoms of severe illness include high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness, disorientation, stupor, tremors, seizures, paralysis, or coma.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American-Statesman,
4 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
The exact timeline for review will depend on the volume of submissions, according to Hill.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The Education Department also vowed to maintain the confidentiality of the submissions to the fullest extent permitted by law.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Symptoms also include lethargy, dehydration and vomiting, and the animals can die.—
Erika I. Ritchie,
Orange County Register,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Symptoms in cats include fever, low appetite, lethargy, reddened or inflamed eyes, discharge from eyes and nose, and difficulty breathing.—
Vanessa Etienne,
People.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Passivity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/passivity. Accessed 16 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share