as in obedient
readily giving in to the command or authority of another
it's not in her nature to be submissive
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of submissive
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
The issue then was DeSantis’ marginalizing of Black voting strength in North Florida, forcing a submissive Legislature to swallow his map of congressional districts — an issue that’s the Legislature’s prerogative.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submissive
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
The issue then was DeSantis’ marginalizing of Black voting strength in North Florida, forcing a submissive Legislature to swallow his map of congressional districts — an issue that’s the Legislature’s prerogative.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submissive
obedient
Adjective
-
Those who tend to favor obedient children are scored as having more authoritarian views.—
Adam Eichen,
The Conversation,
11 June 2025
-
They’re done being obedient to an archaic and broken system.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share