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
Miranda’s latest submissive prince-consort boyfriend is played by Kenneth Branagh, bizarrely the lead violinist in a string quartet.
—
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 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
Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 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
-
These stories usually involve a woman shucking societal norms of being nice, pretty, and obedient.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Just think of all those vacant Madonnas, structurally perfect compositions, and obedient daydreams of antiquity.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility The hotel has many ADA-compliant spaces, including the public entrance, guest rooms (options include a king room with a balcony, two queens, two kings with a balcony, an ocean view king with balcony, and a studio suite), registration desk, and concierge desk.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
That inspection, and later ones, uncovered numerous non-compliant or improperly labeled marijuana, kratom and mushroom product, according to the DLCP order.—
Logan Smith,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Adjective
-
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 4 Jun. 2026.
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