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

Tucci, a reassuring screen presence for more than three decades, is casually excellent as the iconoclastic Bellini, wisely downplaying his character’s physicality in favor of meek conviction. —Graham Hillard, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

Instead, Amy Adams, whose performance as a meek nun in Doubt was her second Oscar nomination after Junebug, reaps that windfall and wins her Oscar nice and early in her career. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 26 Nov. 2024

The real estate agent she’s chosen happens to be the person most responsible for making Rhiannon such a meek, repressed person: her high school bully, Julia (Mood’s Nicôle Lecky). —Judy Berman, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

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

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