passive resistance
Defiance without violence
Passive resistance is a method of opposing authority or policy through nonviolent means such as refusing to cooperate, staging sit-ins, or peacefully blocking access.
Unlike active resistance, it avoids physical confrontation while still creating pressure for change.
The strategy gained prominence through figures like Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., who demonstrated that passive resistance could be a powerful tool against oppression.
Someone practicing passive resistance accepts punishment rather than complying or fighting back.
Peaceful refusal to obey
- noncooperationRefusing to work together
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
- demonstrationPublic display of opinion
march · picketing · pacifism · conscientious objector · hunger strike · work slowdown · obstruction · noncompliance
Nonviolent resistance philosophy
- ahimsaHindu principle of harmlessness
- khadiHand-woven Indian cloth
- fastingDeliberate food avoidance
- spinning wheelFiber-to-thread device
Refusal to compromise
- obstinacyUnyielding adherence to position
- recalcitranceStubborn refusal to obey
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- refusalAct of declining
unyielding · immovability · steadfastness · uncooperativeness · silent protest · insubordination · dissent · opposition
Calm during delays
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
- tenacityPersistent grip or resolve
long-suffering · stoicism · steadfastness · resilience · composure · equanimity · determination · resolve
civil disobedience
Peaceful refusal to obey
- noncooperationRefusing to work together
- boycottOrganized economic protest
- sit-inProtest by remaining seated
demonstration · march · picketing · pacifism · conscientious objector · hunger strike · work slowdown · obstruction · noncompliance · strike
satyagraha
Nonviolent resistance philosophy
intransigence
Refusal to compromise
- obstinacyUnyielding adherence to position
- recalcitranceStubborn refusal to obey
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
refusal · unyielding · immovability · steadfastness · uncooperativeness · silent protest · insubordination · dissent · opposition
patience
Calm during delays
- forbearancePatient self-control, delayed enforcement
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- fortitudeEnduring courage under pain
tenacity · long-suffering · stoicism · steadfastness · resilience · composure · equanimity · determination · resolve · persistence
- defiancedefiance, disobedience, insubordination, noncompliance, rebellion
- passive aggressionsilent treatment, backhanded compliments, backhanded compliment, cold shoulder, eye rolling
- protestdemonstration, walkout, picket, protest march, sit-in
- resistancedefiance, resist, dissidence, opposition, pushback
- nonviolencenonviolence, pacifism, harmlessness, nonviolent, peaceful
- peace movementspacifism, nonviolence, peace activism, peace activist, peace activists
passive resistancearmed rebellion
Violent resistance to authority
armed struggle · guerrilla warfare · armed revolt · terrorism · rioting
passive resistancecompliance
Adhering to requirements
submission · obedience · collaboration · acquiescence · conformity
passive, resistance, resisting, passivity, unresisting, passively, nonresistant, resistive, nonresistance