as in humbly
in a manner showing no signs of pride or self-assertion
the dominant personality, he is always taking advantage of his so-called best friend, who just meekly accepts it
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Recent Examples of meekly
Whether a man chose to use that pistol or meekly give up the money to a robber was up to him.
—
Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Are members of Congress really supposed to sit meekly and quietly while the president uses the rostrum of their chamber to abuse and insult them in the ugliest language?
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.
—Katy Huff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
In other words, students prepare for citizenship in a disputatious society by practicing the civic arts—by asserting and advocating for their views—not by meekly absorbing lessons from their instructors.
—Christopher L. Eisgruber, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league position since they were relegated in 1974, and surrendered meekly to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This wholly spiritual identity is truly ours, and to accept this is to meekly and mightily align our thoughts with divine Love and our real selfhood.
—Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2025
Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Apr. 2026
That was checkmate, as Martinez grounded out meekly to end the season.
—Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2026
Are members of Congress really supposed to sit meekly and quietly while the president uses the rostrum of their chamber to abuse and insult them in the ugliest language?
—David Frum, The Atlantic, 25 Feb. 2026
Moreover, the notion the public will meekly accept weaker radiation standards without explanation seems foolhardy.
—Katy Huff, Scientific American, 23 Jan. 2026
Ball handlers would dribble close to the basket, only to meekly back away, sensing him looming.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 17 Dec. 2025
In other words, students prepare for citizenship in a disputatious society by practicing the civic arts—by asserting and advocating for their views—not by meekly absorbing lessons from their instructors.
—Christopher L. Eisgruber, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
United finished 15th in the Premier League, their lowest league position since they were relegated in 1974, and surrendered meekly to Tottenham in the Europa League final.
—Dan Cancian, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
This wholly spiritual identity is truly ours, and to accept this is to meekly and mightily align our thoughts with divine Love and our real selfhood.
—Tony Lobl, Christian Science Monitor, 9 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for meekly
Adverb
-
Some films herald the scope of their ambitions from the opening frame, whereas others start humbly with a mastery that slowly comes to the fore.—
Sophie Monks Kaufman,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
-
Intricate details of both spacecraft stages, down to some individual rivets, can be seen along the spacecraft hulls, while Earth hangs humbly in the background on the bottom half of the frame.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
Adverb
-
The 22-year-old sheepishly asked if Tarasenko could help him with his laundry.—
Joe Smith,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
Lateef sheepishly raked his hand through his hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.—
KC Baker,
PEOPLE,
15 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
The results are often, to put it politely, anywhere from underwhelming to plagiaristic.—
Daniel Cassady,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
-
Other kindly ushers, who had directed people to an adjacent section after Section 535 filled up, politely asked everyone to please put their shirts back on before returning to the general stadium population.—
Bill Shaikin,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Meekly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/meekly. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
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