passive-aggressive
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.
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.
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Pro Tip
Recognize the Signs
Passive-aggressive behavior often includes sarcasm, procrastination, or subtle sabotage.
Gold Rule
Avoid Misuse
Don't label minor disagreements as passive-aggressive; reserve it for clear patterns of indirect hostility.
Word Origin
Combines 'passive' (avoiding direct confrontation) and 'aggressive' (hostile intent). Popularized in psychology.
Usage Notes
Common in interpersonal conflicts, workplace dynamics, and social interactions. Avoid using it to describe mild annoyance.