passiveness
/pæ'siviti/ Cách viết khác : (passiveness) /'pæsivnis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. The trait of remaining inactive; a lack of initiative: The quality or state of not taking action or showing little energy or resistance. 2. Submission to others or to outside influences: The condition of accepting what happens or what others do without active response or resistance.
Usage
- Passiveness is used to describe a person's character or behavior. It is often viewed as a negative trait when initiative is required, but it can also be a neutral description of a calm or non-confrontational demeanor.
- It is an abstract noun, so it is typically used without an article (e.g., "her passiveness") or with a possessive (e.g., "the team's passiveness").
Examples
- The manager was concerned by the passiveness of the new employees during the brainstorming session.
- His passiveness in the face of injustice surprised his friends, who expected him to protest.
- The political analyst warned that voter passiveness could lead to low turnout in the election.
- Meditation teaches acceptance, not passiveness; it is about conscious non-reaction, not indifference.
Advanced Usage
- Psychological/Clinical Context: In psychology, passiveness can be discussed as a symptom or trait, such as in "learned helplessness" or certain personality disorders.
- Grammatical Context: In grammar, "passiveness" is rarely used; the preferred term is "the passive voice" to describe a sentence structure where the subject receives the action.
- Philosophical/Social Context: Passiveness can be analyzed as a social or political attitude, e.g., "the passiveness of the populace under an authoritarian regime."
Variants and Related Words
- Passive (adj): Accepting or allowing what happens without active response. (e.g., )
- Passivity (n): A synonym for passiveness, often used interchangeably. (e.g., )
- Passively (adv): In a passive manner. (e.g., )
Synonyms
- Inactivity: The state of doing nothing.
- Submissiveness: The quality of being ready to conform to the authority or will of others.
- Acquiescence: The reluctant acceptance of something without protest.
- Resignation: The acceptance of something undesirable but inevitable.
Antonyms
- Activeness: The trait of being active and energetic.
- Initiative: The ability to assess and initiate things independently.
- Assertiveness: Confidence and forcefulness in stating one's views.
- Aggressiveness: The quality of being ready to attack or confront.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- To accept something with passiveness: To receive something without objection or visible emotion.
- He accepted the unfair verdict with quiet passiveness.
- A wall of passiveness: A metaphorical barrier created by someone's unresponsive attitude.
- The negotiator faced a wall of passiveness from the other side.
Noun
- the trait of remaining inactive; a lack of initiative
- submission to others or to outside influences