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
Carroll County needs leadership, not submissive accountants dutifully sharpening the axe.
—
Randy Linville, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Usually, guys with power like to be submissive and are bottoms.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, my colleague and bud Kelefa Sanneh suggested that music critics, as a lot, have gone soft—becoming submissive, overly agreeable, and, in some cases, nearly servile.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Randy Linville, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2026
In the dark romantic comedy-drama, True Blood alum Skarsgård, 49, plays tough biker Ray, who enters into a dominant-submissive relationship with Colin (Melling), a shy and directionless man who sings in a barbershop quartet.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 7 Jan. 2026
Usually, guys with power like to be submissive and are bottoms.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 11 Dec. 2025
Earlier this year, my colleague and bud Kelefa Sanneh suggested that music critics, as a lot, have gone soft—becoming submissive, overly agreeable, and, in some cases, nearly servile.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submissive
Adjective
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Her son, Navaraj, is obedient and dutiful.—
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
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Tariffs could be 'hard sell' in election year How obedient will the congressional GOP be to Trump in an election year?—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility The large-scale layout includes elevators, ramps, and accessible pathways throughout most areas of the property, and the hotel also offers ADA-compliant rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Apr. 2026
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Phase one of improvements includes sidewalk widening and ramps compliant with the American Disabilities Act, as well as the resurfacing of the soundwall located along the road.—
Camryn Dadey,
Sacbee.com,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Leave some patches of empty ground for docile, ground-dwelling bees that are important pollinators.—
Nan Sterman,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
4 Apr. 2026
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Cellphone footage shows Zack holding the leash of an exceptionally docile German shepherd while ordering his uninvited guests to leave.—
Rich Schapiro,
NBC news,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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