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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Recent Examples of submissive
Even the European Union, which bent over backward to offer concessions — pledging to somehow mobilize billions for American weapons, investments and gas purchases, despite having a highly questionable capacity for doing so — wasn’t submissive enough.
—
Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
But while the Internet is torn over whether Carpenter’s submissive position on the Man’s Best Friend cover is funny or degrading, Whoopi Goldberg was more concerned with something else.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 June 2025
Your value lies in being pretty, silent, submissive and unfailingly supportive of men.
—Marie Bostwick, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Trump was demanding deference from Zelenskyy to show his inferior and submissive position as a recipient of U.S. aid and military support.
—Shannon Bow O'Brien, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Rachel Marsden, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025
But while the Internet is torn over whether Carpenter’s submissive position on the Man’s Best Friend cover is funny or degrading, Whoopi Goldberg was more concerned with something else.
—Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 12 June 2025
Your value lies in being pretty, silent, submissive and unfailingly supportive of men.
—Marie Bostwick, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025
Trump was demanding deference from Zelenskyy to show his inferior and submissive position as a recipient of U.S. aid and military support.
—Shannon Bow O'Brien, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submissive
obedient
Adjective
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The pawrent, who uses the social media tag @dollythesassysausage, shared the unconventional tactic of tying the lead of their sausage dog, Dolly, to their sibling's dog—an obedient cocker spaniel called Cooper.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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The Golem was a powerful, obedient protector, performing tasks and defending the ghetto.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.
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