passive-aggressive

== English == === Etymology === From 1940s, after passive aggression. === Pronunciation === Rhymes: -ɛsɪv === Adjective === passive-aggressive (comparative more passive-aggressive, superlative most passive-aggressive) (psychology) Showing passive, sometimes obstructionist resistance to following authoritative instructions in interpersonal or occupational situations. Showing covert hostility, intending to cause annoyance or to humiliate, while maintaining a transparent (to the recipient) veneer of politeness. ==== Coordinate terms ==== passive-dependent ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === See also === passive resistance === References === === Further reading === “passive-aggressive”, in Collins English Dictionary, 2011–present. “passive-aggressive”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. “passive-aggressive”, in TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2026