- n. the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb (view details)
- adj. lacking in energy or will (view details)
- adj. expressing thatthe subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb (view details)
- adj. peacefully resistant in response to injustice (view details)
Meaning 1: (noun) the voice used to indicate that the grammatical subject of the verb is the recipient (not the source) of the action denoted by the verb
Usage Example(s): `The ball was thrown by the boy” uses the passive voice, `The ball was thrown” is an abbreviated passive
Synonym(s): passive voice ( what does passive voice stand for? )
Opposite(s): active ( what does active stand for? ), active voice ( what does active voice stand for? )
Meaning 2: (adjective) lacking in energy or will
Usage Example(s): Much benevolence of the passive order may be traced to a disinclination to inflict pain upon oneself- George Meredith
Synonym(s): inactive ( what does inactive stand for? )
Opposite(s): active
Similar(s): hands-off ( what does hands-off stand for? ), resistless ( what does resistless stand for? ), supine ( what does supine stand for? ), unresisting ( what does unresisting stand for? )
Attribute(s): passiveness ( what does passiveness stand for? ), passivity ( what does passivity stand for? )
Meaning 3: (adjective) expressing thatthe subject of the sentence is the patient of the action denoted by the verb
Usage Example(s): academics seem to favor passive sentences
Opposite(s): active
Meaning 4: (adjective) peacefully resistant in response to injustice
Usage Example(s): passive resistance
Synonym(s): peaceful ( what does peaceful stand for? )
Similar(s): nonviolent ( what does nonviolent stand for? )
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.