# passively

**Pronunciation:** /ˈpæsɪvli/ · PASS-iv-lee

**CEFR level:** B2

**Part of speech:** adverb

## Meaning

In a way that involves accepting or allowing what happens without actively responding or resisting.

## Examples

- The audience listened passively as the speaker delivered a long, unengaging lecture.
- He passively accepted the criticism without offering any defense for his actions.
- Many people consume news passively, simply reading headlines without deep analysis.

## Synonyms

- idly — Doing nothing in particular, often out of laziness or lack of purpose.
- submissively — Obeying without resistance, often implying a lack of will or power.
- unresistingly — Without offering any opposition or struggle.
- inertly — Without power to move or act, often implying a state of lifelessness or inactivity.

## Antonyms

- actively — Engaging or participating with energy and initiative.
- assertively — Expressing opinions or desires strongly and confidently.
- aggressively — Acting with force or hostility, often to dominate or attack.

## Collocations

- passively resist — The workers decided to passively resist the new policies by slowing down their output.
- passively observe — He chose to passively observe the argument, not wanting to get involved.

Canonical URL: https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english/passively

[Browse the English learner dictionary](https://anaversity.com/dictionary/english)