A deliberate and calculated behavior exhibited by an organization or its members, particularly law enforcement agencies, where they feign misunderstanding or lack of capability to fulfill a legal or formal request for information. This tactic is employed as a means of evasion to avoid accountability, transparency, or the disclosure of information that could implicate the organization in illegal activities or misconduct. It is characterized by an outward appearance of cooperation or innocence, masking an intentional effort to obstruct justice or the rightful access to information. This behavior is passive-aggressive in nature because it avoids direct confrontation or refusal while actively working against the requester's aims to uncover truth or obtain justice.
This definition encapsulates the manipulative and obstructive nature of the behavior, emphasizing its purpose as a strategy to evade legal and moral responsibilities.
This definition encapsulates the manipulative and obstructive nature of the behavior, emphasizing its purpose as a strategy to evade legal and moral responsibilities.
The police department's refusal to provide the requested documents, coupled with their pretense of not understanding the clear terms of the FOIA request, is a classic case of passive-aggressive strategic incompetence designed to shield themselves from scrutiny.
by I Juana Be Free March 03, 2024
It's a passive-aggressive thing. You wouldn't understand.
by tenorterror September 14, 2019
Wearing a cosplay costume, at an inappropriate time/place, to tick off someone you dislike, instead of having a verbal confrontation with them. It works best when used on people who are too stupid to get your reference. Passive aggressive cosplay can be used as an effective form of non-verbal protest.
At the (society for narcissistic mothers) picnic -
Suzy: “Jane, why are you dressed like Joan Crawford?”.
Jane: “Shhhh.... It’s passive-aggressive cosplay”.
At the (society for book-burners) annual brunch -
Rachel: “Jane, why are you dressed like Arya Stark from Game of Thrones?”
Jane: “Shhh.... It’s passive aggressive cosplay”.
Suzy: “Jane, why are you dressed like Joan Crawford?”.
Jane: “Shhhh.... It’s passive-aggressive cosplay”.
At the (society for book-burners) annual brunch -
Rachel: “Jane, why are you dressed like Arya Stark from Game of Thrones?”
Jane: “Shhh.... It’s passive aggressive cosplay”.
by 3374267182 May 28, 2018
being aggressive indirectly
by adamsbigtoe November 27, 2020
The intentional understanding of asking a question that truly doesn't need an answer from a person which you know is about to go ballistic. Quietly waiting to intercede with a "why you trippin'?." Knowing intentional gratitude of mischievous energy towards another.
Yeah I'm about to show you some passive aggressive antagonistic shit!! . I'm About to drive this person crazy with 1 sentence and watch them don't know why they talking for 23 minutes for no reason. 🤔😂
by The UrbanPalate April 01, 2022
A special breed of passive-aggressive behavior that feels nice on the surface but is completely fake, emotionally empty, and served with a side of sarcasm. It’s the art of acting supportive, polite, or complimentary — but you know deep down they don’t mean a single word of it.
Think: Smiling shade. Pretty words, petty intentions. The emotional equivalent of a cardboard hug.
Examples:
“Oh wow, you wore that? So brave of you.”
“Thank you for your opinion. It's definitely... something.”
“Of course I’ll help. I love picking up other people’s slack!”
Examples:
“Oh wow, you wore that? So brave of you.”
“Thank you for your opinion. It's definitely... something.”
“Of course I’ll help. I love picking up other people’s slack!”
Examples:
“Oh wow, you wore that? So brave of you.”
“Thank you for your opinion. It's definitely... something.”
“Of course I’ll help. I love picking up other people’s slack!”
Think: Smiling shade. Pretty words, petty intentions. The emotional equivalent of a cardboard hug.
Examples:
“Oh wow, you wore that? So brave of you.”
“Thank you for your opinion. It's definitely... something.”
“Of course I’ll help. I love picking up other people’s slack!”
Examples:
“Oh wow, you wore that? So brave of you.”
“Thank you for your opinion. It's definitely... something.”
“Of course I’ll help. I love picking up other people’s slack!”
Examples:
“Oh wow, you wore that? So brave of you.”
“Thank you for your opinion. It's definitely... something.”
“Of course I’ll help. I love picking up other people’s slack!”
“Her compliment about my promotion was so hollow passive-aggressive, I almost thanked her before realizing it was pure shade.”
by Chaser1923 March 25, 2025
The opposite of passive aggressive. A phrase that describes a person who passively tries to change someone's mind about something, so the speaker doesn't have to let the listener know what the speaker really wants or thinks. The speaker will go to great lengths, being subtly aggressive.
Jenna was very aggressive passive when she tried to get Rob to decide that he should cancel their date.
by marchello simpsona December 25, 2017