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Definition of passivity

passivity

/pæˈsɪv.ɪ.ti/
pas · siv · i · ty
Adverb:passively
•
Plural:passivities
•
Adjective:passive
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passivity Lexical Profile

passivity Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state or quality of accepting or allowing what happens or what others do, without active response, initiative, or resistance.

Example

"The committee criticized the administration's passivity in the face of mounting economic challenges."

2

In chemistry and metallurgy, a condition in which a metal or alloy becomes resistant to corrosion and loses its normal chemical reactivity due to the formation of a thin protective surface film.

Example

"Treatment with concentrated nitric acid induces passivity in iron by forming an impervious oxide layer."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for passivity

• Nearby Words

passive
passively
passiveness
passivity
passkey
passout
passover

Word Origin & Etymology

First recorded in the early 17th century, this word comes from Late Latin passivitas, derived from Latin passivus ('capable of feeling or suffering'), which ultimately stems from pati ('to suffer or endure').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Passivity. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/passivity
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