ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Passively

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈpæs.ɪv.li/ · Part of speech adverb

Quick meaning: Passively is an adverb meaning In a passive manner; without conscious or self-directed action.

Meaning

In a passive manner; without conscious or self-directed action.

More Meanings

  1. In an acquiescent manner; resignedly or submissively.
  2. (grammar) In the passive voice; having a passive construction.

Example Sentences

Water flowed passively between tanks via the siphon.
They were not waving at him but sat passively as if waiting to hear if what he had to say would be derogatory to their previous relationship.
Due to this pressure aortic and pulmonary valves are opened passively and due to relaxation blood is sucked from the venae cavae into the atrium.
Paradoxically, the same faculty who complain about busyness are most likely to end up waiting passively. While they acquiescently wait to write, they busy themselves with other, often trivial, activities.

Synonyms for passively

Depending on context, synonyms include automatically, mindlessly, resignedly, submissively.

Antonyms for passively

Common opposites include actively.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include negatively, adversely, liabilities, laser, submissively, unresistingly.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.