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 3, 2024
Get the Passive-Aggressive Strategic Incompetence mug.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
Get the Hollow Passive-Aggressive mug.Examples of Corporate Passive Aggressive:
As per my previous email: Did you not read what I sent you?
Walk me through your thought process on this one: What were you thinking, you fool?
I’ve received feedback from your coworkers: Nobody likes you
This was identified early on as a possible outcome: I told you so
For future reference: How do you not already know this?
I’ve CC’d in your manager: You wanna say that shit in front of Steve?
We’ve decided to separate your employment: you’re fired
As per my previous email: Did you not read what I sent you?
Walk me through your thought process on this one: What were you thinking, you fool?
I’ve received feedback from your coworkers: Nobody likes you
This was identified early on as a possible outcome: I told you so
For future reference: How do you not already know this?
I’ve CC’d in your manager: You wanna say that shit in front of Steve?
We’ve decided to separate your employment: you’re fired
by Shepherd Guy December 19, 2025
Get the Corporate Passive Aggressive mug.When someone goes out of their way to be passive about things, or to just not be involved. Often, getting involved wouldn't inconvenience them, but they just don't care about that. They want to ignore it and be on their way.
John: That person was calling out for help, and you ignored him.
Jill: Yep.
John: But why?
Jill: Haven't you heard? I'm aggressively passive.
Jill: Yep.
John: But why?
Jill: Haven't you heard? I'm aggressively passive.
by zeekwolfrunner October 10, 2009
Get the aggressively passive mug.A word describing somebody who is uncomfortable being openly amiable and kind, so they give more subtle hints to their goodwill while maintaining a disagreeable exterior. See also.
That man spent the entire meal complaining to me about my service, and then he left me a $5 tip. He's totally aggressive passive.
by m99lc August 8, 2009
Get the aggressive passive mug.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
Get the aggressive passive mug.Yes, Mr. Donald can get rather pussive aggressive.
If a chick clears you on one pussive aggressive move, doesn't mean you get a lifetime pass.
If a chick clears you on one pussive aggressive move, doesn't mean you get a lifetime pass.
by msdee November 22, 2016
Get the pussive aggressive mug.