Word
submissive
Displaying a readiness to yield to the authority or will of others.
Meanings
Ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient or passive.
Definition
Someone who is submissive tends to give in to the wishes or demands of others rather than asserting their own will. They often show a quiet obedience and a lack of resistance, allowing others to take control. This behavior can be seen in various contexts, from personal relationships to professional settings.
Examples
- The historically submissive culture began to assert its independence after many years.
- Despite being highly intelligent, she often adopted a submissive role in group discussions.
- The younger dog showed a submissive posture, rolling onto its back when confronted by the older animal.
- He tried not to be too submissive when asking for a raise, balancing respect with assertiveness.
- Their initial submissive attitude slowly changed as they gained more confidence in their abilities.
Common mistake
A common mistake is confusing 'submissive' with 'humble'; while both involve a lack of arrogance, 'submissive' specifically implies yielding to another's will, which 'humble' does not necessarily.
More adjectives
- agnostic An agnostic is someone who does not claim to know whether God exists.
- pragmatic Pragmatic means focused on practical results rather than ideals or theories.
- ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere at the same time.
- cynical Cynical describes believing that people are mainly motivated by self-interest and not sincere.
- apathetic Apathetic means showing little or no interest, concern, or enthusiasm.