submissive

adjective

sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmi-siv 

: submitting to others

submissive employees

submissively adverb

submissiveness noun

Synonyms

• obedient

Examples of submissive in a Sentence

it's not in her nature to be submissive

Recent Examples on the Web

The titillating drama explores the complexities of dominant-submissive relationships and fetishes, as Ray gets aroused by making Colin lick his boots, buy his groceries and sleep at the foot of his bed. —Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 6 Oct. 2025

And the movement could never be as iconic as Sergio Busquets’ submissive touch, pause and guide for Lionel Messi to embark on one of the best solo goals ever seen in the 2011 El Clasico semi-final at the Bernabeu. —Tim Spiers, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025

The submissive body is absent; there are only raw networks of pressure and pleasure, woven together by the threads of discipline. —Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 12 Sep. 2025

Jason Ardizzone-West’s set is a predictable slick white box, its blank surfaces submissive to the constant barrage of Brad Peterson’s video projections. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1572, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for submissive

• derisive
• dismissive
• emissive
• permissive
• transmissive
• missive

Kids 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.

submissiveness noun