passive-aggressiveness
Veiled antagonism behavior
Passive-aggressiveness is expressing hostility or resentment indirectly rather than openly.
Instead of stating displeasure, someone might procrastinate, give the silent treatment, offer backhanded compliments, or comply with requests while deliberately doing them poorly.
The behavior lets someone avoid direct confrontation while still communicating anger: Her passive-aggressiveness came out in constant "helpful" suggestions about my weight.
Irony used to mock
- silent treatmentRefusing to speak
- backhanded complimentsInsults dressed as flattery
- sulkingSilent, resentful withdrawal
- procrastinationHabitual task avoidance
stonewalling · eye-rolling · sighing · avoidance · withholding · stubbornness · sabotage · foot-dragging
Persistent bitter displeasure
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
- contemptDisdainful disregard
grudge · spite · vindictiveness · hurt · insecurity · emotional immaturity · cowardice · defensiveness
Underhanded control of others
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- codependencyExcessive emotional reliance on another
- power imbalanceUnequal distribution of control
control · gaslighting · blame-shifting · triangulation · withdrawal · punishment · retaliation · invalidation
Weakening by covert means
- missed deadlinesUnfulfilled time commitments
- malicious complianceHarmful adherence to instructions
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
- microaggressionSmall, often unconscious, biased remark
insubordination · selective hearing · plausible deniability · office politics · territorial behavior · resistance · disengagement
Shunning direct disagreement
- communication skillsCapacity to exchange ideas
- boundariesLines marking separation
- anger managementControlling hostile emotions
- therapyCurative mental treatment
self-awareness · emotional regulation · confrontation · directness · attachment style · coping mechanism · defense mechanism · validation
sarcasm
Irony used to mock
- silent treatmentRefusing to speak
- backhanded complimentsInsults dressed as flattery
- sulkingSilent, resentful withdrawal
procrastination · stonewalling · eye-rolling · sighing · avoidance · withholding · stubbornness · sabotage · foot-dragging · guilt-tripping
resentment
Persistent bitter displeasure
- frustrationDispleasure from blocked efforts
- bitternessSharp, unpleasant taste or feeling
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
contempt · grudge · spite · vindictiveness · hurt · insecurity · emotional immaturity · cowardice · defensiveness · shame
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- codependencyExcessive emotional reliance on another
power imbalance · control · gaslighting · blame-shifting · triangulation · withdrawal · punishment · retaliation · invalidation · dismissiveness
undermining
Weakening by covert means
- missed deadlinesUnfulfilled time commitments
- malicious complianceHarmful adherence to instructions
- gossipInformal talk spreading rumors
microaggression · insubordination · selective hearing · plausible deniability · office politics · territorial behavior · resistance · disengagement
conflict avoidance
Shunning direct disagreement
- communication skillsCapacity to exchange ideas
- boundariesLines marking separation
- anger managementControlling hostile emotions
therapy · self-awareness · emotional regulation · confrontation · directness · attachment style · coping mechanism · defense mechanism · validation · accountability
- turn-offsick, red flag, red flags, dealbreaker, dealbreakers
passive-aggressivenessdirectness
Quality of being straightforward
forthrightness · candor · bluntness · frankness · straight talk
passive-aggressivenessemotional honesty
Truthful expression of feelings
authenticity · genuineness · sincerity · guilelessness · transparency
passive, aggressive, aggression, assertive, aggressor, unassertive, passivity, aggressively, assertiveness