passive resistance: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “passive resistance” mean?
Opposing a government, law, or authority without using violence, often by refusing to obey, cooperate, or by doing things slowly.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Opposing a government, law, or authority without using violence, often by refusing to obey, cooperate, or by doing things slowly.
A broader strategy of non-cooperation, non-violent protest, or civil disobedience used to achieve political or social goals. Can also describe a personal attitude of non-cooperation in interpersonal contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. More historically associated with British colonial contexts (e.g., India, South Africa). In the US, 'civil disobedience' is a more frequent near-synonym.
Connotations
UK: Strong historical connotations with Gandhi and the Suffragettes. US: May have slightly stronger academic or historical connotations.
Frequency
Comparatively low frequency in everyday speech in both regions, used more in historical, political, or academic discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “passive resistance” in a Sentence
[Subject] engaged in passive resistance against [Authority/Policy].The [Group]'s passive resistance took the form of [Specific Action].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “passive resistance” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The suffragettes chose to passively resist the unjust laws.
- The community is resisting passively through work slowdowns.
American English
- The protesters are committed to resisting passively.
- They decided to passively resist the new mandate.
adverb
British English
- They protested passive-resistantly, occupying the square in silence.
American English
- The workers resisted passive-resistantly by 'working to rule'.
adjective
British English
- He adopted a passive-resistance stance.
- Their passive-resistance tactics were effective.
American English
- It was a passive-resistance campaign.
- She is a proponent of passive-resistance methods.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could describe employees subtly refusing to adopt new procedures without open confrontation.
Academic
Common in political science, history, and peace studies texts discussing social movements.
Everyday
Used to describe someone who is being uncooperative or stubborn in a non-confrontational way (e.g., a teenager's passive resistance to chores).
Technical
A specific term in political theory and conflict resolution studies.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “passive resistance”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “passive resistance”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “passive resistance”
- Using it to mean 'being lazy or inactive'.
- Confusing it with 'passive-aggressive' behaviour, which is interpersonal and often petty.
- Using it without an object of resistance (e.g., 'He showed passive resistance' is vague).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Passive-aggressive' refers to indirect resistance and negative feelings in interpersonal relationships (e.g., sarcasm, procrastination). 'Passive resistance' is a public, often collective, political strategy of non-violent opposition.
Mahatma Gandhi in India's independence movement against British rule and Martin Luther King Jr. in the American Civil Rights Movement are the most iconic figures associated with this strategy.
Yes. While challenging, it remains a tool for social movements. Its effectiveness depends on organisation, persistence, media coverage, and the moral pressure it creates on authorities. Modern examples include certain environmental protests and digital activism.
They overlap significantly. 'Civil disobedience' often involves deliberately breaking specific laws considered unjust (e.g., sitting at a whites-only lunch counter). 'Passive resistance' is a broader umbrella that includes civil disobedience but also encompasses legal non-cooperation, boycotts, and slowdowns where no law is broken.
Opposing a government, law, or authority without using violence, often by refusing to obey, cooperate, or by doing things slowly.
Passive resistance is usually formal, academic, journalistic in register.
Passive resistance: in British English it is pronounced /ˌpæs.ɪv rɪˈzɪs.təns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌpæs.ɪv rɪˈzɪs.təns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To meet force with passive force.”
- “The weapon of the weak.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'PASSIVE' person sitting down, RESISTing by simply not moving. Action through inaction.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESISTANCE IS A FORCE (but a still, unmoving force). WAR/STRUGGLE (fought with non-violent weapons).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the BEST example of 'passive resistance'?