Passiveness — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈpa-siv/ pas·sive

Meaning & Definition of Passiveness

Passiveness (adjective)

  1. acted upon by an external agency
  2. receptive to outside impressions or influences
  3. asserting that the grammatical subject of a verb is subjected to or affected by the action represented by that verb

Passiveness (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in passivity

    similar: passivity, acquiescence, resignation, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness, forbearance, long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance, discipline, self-control, submission, submissiveness
    opposite: impatience, defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness

Related Entry: Passive (adjective)

Passive is a different word from Passiveness. The synonyms below are for passive, not for passiveness.

  1. receiving or enduring without offering resistance

    "the union rank and file were surprisingly passive about the givebacks in the new labor contract"

    similar: acquiescent, nonresistant, resigned, tolerant, tolerating, unresistant, yielding
    related: forbearing, impassive, long-suffering, patient, stoic, uncomplaining, agreeable, amenable, compliant, complying, conformable, conformist, docile, guidable, law-abiding, obedient, pliable, pliant, subordinate, tractable, willing, obeisant, submissive, surrendering, amiable, obliging, slavish, subservient, disciplined, governable, manageable, apathetic, uncaring, unresponsive
    opposite: protesting, resistant, resisting, unyielding
    near: defiant, contrary, contumacious, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, insurgent, intractable, mutinous, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, restive, uncontrollable, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, balky, perverse, wayward, wrongheaded, headstrong, willful, indomitable, undisciplined, unmanageable, dissident, nonconformist

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Passiveness

The most common words with a similar meaning to Passiveness:

passivity, acquiescence, resignation, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination, tractability, willingness, forbearance, long-suffering, patience, sufferance, tolerance, discipline, self-control, submission, submissiveness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Passiveness

Words with the opposite meaning of Passiveness:

impatience, defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance, resistance, willfulness

Word Forms of Passiveness

Derived words: passively (adverb), passiveness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Passiveness

Middle English, from Latin passivus, from passus, past participle of pati

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Passiveness

What does "Passiveness" mean?

"Passiveness" means acted upon by an external agency. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: acted upon by an external agency.

What is another word for "Passiveness"?

Other words for "Passiveness" include passivity, acquiescence, resignation, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility and obedience. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Passiveness" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Passiveness"?

There are 20 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Passiveness". Common alternatives include passivity, acquiescence, resignation, amenability, compliance, conformism, docility, obedience, subordination and tractability.

What is the opposite of "Passiveness"?

Antonyms of "Passiveness" include impatience, defiance, contrariness, disobedience, insubordination, intractability, recalcitrance and resistance.

Is "Passiveness" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Passiveness" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Passiveness"?

"Passiveness" is pronounced /ˈpa-siv/ and divided into syllables as pas·sive.

What is the origin of the word "Passiveness"?

"Passiveness" comes from Middle English, from Latin passivus, from passus, past participle of pati. First known use: 14th century.

What is another word for "Passiveness" meaning "as in passivity"?

When "Passiveness" (noun) means as in passivity, synonyms include passivity, acquiescence, resignation, amenability, compliance and conformism. Opposites in this sense include impatience, defiance, contrariness and disobedience.