passively
/ˈpæsɪvli/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpæsɪvli/ (ame, ipa) · /-sə̇vlē, -li/ (ame, mw)
passively — adverb
1. without doing anything to shape or stop what is happening, so you leave the situ
without doing anything to shape or stop what is happening, so you leave the situation or the decision in other people's hands.
Leo sat passively while his brother chose the movie for everyone.
sit + passively while someone else decides
During the meeting, Nina listened passively and never asked a question.
listen passively in a group discussion
The crowd watched passively as two men argued near the station.
Instead of calling the doctor, Mr. Wu waited passively at home.
The class accepted the unfair rule passively without any complaint.
- inactively
focuses on not doing anything, without clearly suggesting that others take control
- submissively
stronger; suggests willing obedience to another person's authority
- meekly
adds a sense of softness, fear, or lack of confidence
- actively
shows direct effort to influence events
- assertively
stresses confident action or speaking up
文法句型
verb + passively
passively accept + noun
passively watch/listen/wait
用法筆記
Usually follows verbs such as sit, listen, watch, wait, or accept, showing a lack of response rather than simple silence. Distinguish from calmly: someone may act calmly and still take control, but someone acting passively does not really try to affect the result.