Meanings
- gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of quiet fire
- uncountableThe active or passive neglect of employees in a way that leads to their resignation.
Unlike traditional terminations, quiet firing (sometimes called “silent firing”) operates under the radar.
2025 August 15, Lisa Reyes, Heather Whitney, “Quiet Firing: Signs It's Happening and How To Avoid It”, in PayChex2 more examples
Without meaning to, many managers are quiet firing their team members by not helping them perform, develop and feel appreciated for their contributions.
2022 November 18, Ben Wigert, “Quiet Firing: What It Is and How to Stop Doing It”, in GallupQuiet firing might start as being excluded from meetings you were once a key member of, cutting responsibilities or stalling promotions with no explanation.
2025 August 15, Alora Bopray, “Are you being ‘quiet fired’? Here’s how to spot the signs”, in USA Today
Origin
quiet + firing, on the model of quiet quitting.
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
quiet firing. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/quiet%20firing
“quiet firing.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/quiet%20firing. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “quiet firing,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/quiet%20firing.
Source: quiet firing on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.