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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of submissive
The project, which premiered at Sundance in January, is a zany and absurd exploration of a dominant-submissive relationship.
—
Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Iran wanted Iraq to remain weak and submissive, and in the meantime, corrupt Iranian officials could suck its resources, profit personally, and leave the country an impoverished mess.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Its subtitle, about awakening and survival, underlines Mrie’s trajectory from submissive daughter to political actor and skilled observer.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Carroll County needs leadership, not submissive accountants dutifully sharpening the axe.
—Randy Linville, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Iran wanted Iraq to remain weak and submissive, and in the meantime, corrupt Iranian officials could suck its resources, profit personally, and leave the country an impoverished mess.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Its subtitle, about awakening and survival, underlines Mrie’s trajectory from submissive daughter to political actor and skilled observer.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Carroll County needs leadership, not submissive accountants dutifully sharpening the axe.
—Randy Linville, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submissive
Adjective
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Just think of all those vacant Madonnas, structurally perfect compositions, and obedient daydreams of antiquity.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Always obedient, Agnes happily welcomes Daisy despite Shu’s warnings.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Men’s Central Jail needs to be replaced with a modern, constitutionally compliant facility that provides real mental health and substance abuse treatment, not abandoned and forgotten while people die inside.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
4 May 2026
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Accessibility This hotel is especially accessible, with the majority of rooms accessed from the parking lot or from wide walkways, and an ADA compliant pool lift.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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If not, the government is spending millions keeping people addicted, making a quarter of the prison population docile and high.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
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Westinghouse’s creations, named Herbert Televox, Karina Van Televox, Telelux, Rastus, Willie Vocalite, and Elektro, were promoted as docile domestic workers.—
Matthew Wills,
JSTOR Daily,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 8 May. 2026.
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