Passive-aggressive behavior can be frustrating to deal with, especially in professional settings. However, it's important to recognize that it's a complex trait that's not always easy to describe with just one word. Here are a few synonyms for "passive-aggressive" that can help you better articulate the behavior: 1. Indirect: Passive-aggressive behavior often involves hinting or implying things rather than being straightforward. 2. Hostile: Even if the behavior is not openly aggressive, it can still come across as hostile or antagonistic. 3. Manipulative: By avoiding direct confrontation, passive-aggressive people may be trying to manipulate others into meeting their needs without having to ask for what they want. 4. Two-faced: This term suggests that someone is putting on a facade or behaving differently in private than they do in public.