meek

adjective

ˈmēk 

1

: enduring injury with patience and without resentment : mild

a meek child dominated by his brothers

2

: deficient in spirit and courage : submissive

"I don't care," came the meek reply

—Annetta Miller

3

: not violent or strong : moderate

his delivery varied from a meek, melodic patter to rapid-fire scriptural allusions

—Bob Trebilcock

meekly adverb

Synonyms

• demure
• down-to-earth
• humble
• lowly
• modest
• unassuming
• unpretentious

Examples of meek in a Sentence

a meek child dominated by his brothers

She may seem meek and mild but it is all an act.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jenn, while possibly the best person on the show, is too meek and too little in her own estimation. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2024

The conclusion hasn’t changed, despite meek attempts at introducing gendered representation. —Nicole Froio, refinery29.com, 26 Jan. 2024

In his view, China’s public image as a meek nation struggling to rise from the ashes of the Cultural Revolution had its purposes during the last quarter of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first, but no longer. —Christopher K. Johnson, Foreign Affairs, 20 June 2019

Even a meek worm can suddenly turn around and resist. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse mjūkr gentle; akin to Welsh esmwyth soft

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

meek

adjective

ˈmēk 

1

: putting up with wrongs patiently and without complaint : mild

2

: lacking spirit or self-assurance : humble

meekly adverb

meekness noun