as in obedient
readily giving in to the command or authority of another
it's not in her nature to be submissive
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Recent Examples of submissive
The book equates being female with being submissive.
—
Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Over time, this dynamic creates a destructive loop, with the dominant partner tightening their grip and the submissive losing their sense of self.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for submissive 
Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Over time, this dynamic creates a destructive loop, with the dominant partner tightening their grip and the submissive losing their sense of self.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
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
See all Example Sentences for submissive
Thesaurus Entries Near submissive
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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