Passively
ˈpæsɪvli
Definitions
In a manner that is accepting or submissive; without taking any action or initiative; receptively.
ˈpæsɪvli
In a way that accepts or allows what happens or what others do, without active response or resistance.
She sat passively in the meeting, not offering any opinions.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're watching a movie and just letting it play without changing anything, even if something surprising or bad happens. That's like doing something passively. It's like just going with the flow without trying to control things or do anything.
👶 For kids: When you do something passively, you just let it happen without doing anything to stop it or change it.
More Examples
The company passively accepted the terms of the contract.
The protesters decided to resist the law passively by not cooperating.
How It's Used
"He responded passively to the criticism."
"The government was accused of dealing passively with the crisis."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From 'passive' (late Middle English, from Latin 'passivus' meaning 'suffering, feeling') + '-ly'. The suffix '-ly' indicates an adverb.
Historically used to describe a state of being acted upon rather than acting, and the adverbial form emerged to describe the manner of this state. Found in philosophical and scientific contexts.
Memory tip
Think of someone sitting still and *allowing* things to happen *to* them; they are acting *passively*.
Word Origin
"suffering, feeling; 'passivus' derived from 'pati' (to suffer)."