submissive

adjective

sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmi-siv 

: submitting to others

submissive employees

submissively adverb

submissiveness noun

Synonyms

• amenable
• biddable
• compliant
• conformable
• docile
• law-abiding
• obedient
• tractable

Examples of submissive in a Sentence

it's not in her nature to be submissive

Recent Examples on the Web

Washington has become the court of Nero: an incendiary emperor, submissive courtiers, and a buffoon on ketamine tasked with purging the civil service. —Claude Malhuret, The Atlantic, 8 Mar. 2025

However, these works — all written by men — portrayed Veronika as a fragile, submissive woman, passively awaiting her fate. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Feb. 2025

This dynamic inadvertently fosters a dominant/submissive power play, providing Romy with an unexpected outlet to explore and indulge her kinks. —Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025

Cowed by DeSantis, weak and submissive lawmakers unquestioningly approved his culture-war agenda. —Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for submissive

• derisive
• dismissive
• emissive
• permissive
• transmissive
• missive

Kids Definition

submissive

adjective

sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmis-iv 

: inclined or willing to submit to others : yielding

submissively adverb

submissiveness noun

Etymology

from Latin submissus, past participle of submittere "to let down," from sub- "under, below" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to message

Medical Definition

submissive

adjective

sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmis-iv 

: characterized by tendencies to yield to the will or authority of others

bullying usually involves a stronger, more dominant personality coercing a weaker, more submissive personality

—S. W. Twemlow et al.

submissiveness noun