passive-aggressive

/ˈpæsɪv əˈɡrɛsɪv/

indirectly expressing hostility

She gave me the silent treatment and slammed the door—classic passive-aggressive behavior.

She showed anger indirectly through actions like ignoring and slamming the door.

informal

Expressing negative feelings indirectly through actions rather than direct communication.

His passive-aggressive comments about my work made the team uncomfortable.

His indirect, hostile remarks about my work created tension.

Often used in psychology to describe a behavioral pattern where frustration is expressed subtly.

Collocations

passive-aggressive behaviorindirectly hostile actionspassive-aggressive commenta remark that subtly criticizes

ignoring someone as a form of punishment

a compliment with an underlying insult

Passive-aggressive behavior often includes sarcasm, procrastination, or subtle sabotage.

Don't label minor disagreements as passive-aggressive; reserve it for clear patterns of indirect hostility.

Combines 'passive' (avoiding direct confrontation) and 'aggressive' (hostile intent). Popularized in psychology.

Common in interpersonal conflicts, workplace dynamics, and social interactions. Avoid using it to describe mild annoyance.

passive

avoiding direct confrontation

root

aggressive

hostile or confrontational

root

English Dictionary