submissive
adjective
sub·mis·sive
səb-ˈmi-siv 
: submitting to others
submissive employees
submissively
adverb
submissiveness
noun
Examples of submissive in a Sentence
it's not in her nature to be submissive
Recent Examples on the Web
The submissive Colin finds new confidence and enjoys doing assorted things for Ray, but complications arise when Colin begins to want something more emotional.
—
Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 June 2026
This is a strategy born not of manly strength, but of submissive desperation.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Harry Melling stars as a young introvert who meets an older biker (Alexander Skarsgård) and becomes his submissive.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Participants will gain skills to develop mutual trust, respect, and mindfulness between Dominant and submissive.
—Rachel Del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for submissive
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Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 June 2026
This is a strategy born not of manly strength, but of submissive desperation.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026
Harry Melling stars as a young introvert who meets an older biker (Alexander Skarsgård) and becomes his submissive.
—Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026
Participants will gain skills to develop mutual trust, respect, and mindfulness between Dominant and submissive.
—Rachel Del Guidice, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submissive. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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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