submissive
adjective
sub·mis·sive
səb-ˈmi-siv 
: submitting to others
submissive employees
submissively
adverb
submissiveness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of submissive in a Sentence
it's not in her nature to be submissive
Recent Examples on the Web
Relative newcomer Weaving, in particular, delivers a standout performance as Grace—a role that requires her to be, in turn, sweetly submissive, shocked, and terrified, and a tough-as-nails badass in a fight for her life.
—
Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2024
Women were expected to be apologetic and submissive.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Alice is Zoey’s domme — the dominant partner in the relationship — and Zoey is the sub, or submissive.
—Kayla Levy, Curbed, 11 Dec. 2024
The story painted Neeleman as a submissive, perhaps overwhelmed wife to a husband chasing his personal dream of running a ranch and having a large family.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for submissive 
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Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2024
Women were expected to be apologetic and submissive.
—Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024
Alice is Zoey’s domme — the dominant partner in the relationship — and Zoey is the sub, or submissive.
—Kayla Levy, Curbed, 11 Dec. 2024
The story painted Neeleman as a submissive, perhaps overwhelmed wife to a husband chasing his personal dream of running a ranch and having a large family.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for submissive
Dictionary Entries Near submissive
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submissive. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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.
S. W. Twemlow et al.
submissiveness
noun
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