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
The more submissive the manager is, the more Frenza will rip into her.
—
Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
The project, which premiered at Sundance in January, is a zany and absurd exploration of a dominant-submissive relationship.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Iran wanted Iraq to remain weak and submissive, and in the meantime, corrupt Iranian officials could suck its resources, profit personally, and leave the country an impoverished mess.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Its subtitle, about awakening and survival, underlines Mrie’s trajectory from submissive daughter to political actor and skilled observer.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026
The project, which premiered at Sundance in January, is a zany and absurd exploration of a dominant-submissive relationship.
—Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 3 Mar. 2026
Iran wanted Iraq to remain weak and submissive, and in the meantime, corrupt Iranian officials could suck its resources, profit personally, and leave the country an impoverished mess.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Its subtitle, about awakening and survival, underlines Mrie’s trajectory from submissive daughter to political actor and skilled observer.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submissive
Adjective
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Just think of all those vacant Madonnas, structurally perfect compositions, and obedient daydreams of antiquity.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Always obedient, Agnes happily welcomes Daisy despite Shu’s warnings.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Emulating the Suez Canal Iranian news outlets have framed the proposal to charge for subsea cables passing through its waters as compliant with international law, citing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), which includes provisions governing submarine cables.—
Mostafa Salem,
CNN Money,
17 May 2026
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Users can also use the site to meet with providers, get quotes, and transfer medical records through its HIPAA-compliant system.—
Liz Knueven,
CNBC,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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In this era of growing labor radicalism and open conflict with capital, Taylor promised docile and happy workers alongside high profits.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 May 2026
-
This harmless, doll-like look juxtaposed with the anger running through their punk discographies and unruly performances was meant to subvert the expectations of women as docile objects in the patriarchy.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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