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
-
How might Infantino continue to profess neutrality while still clearly taking a side, pretending to listen to every voice while remaining obedient to only one?—
Chris Jones,
The Atlantic,
7 June 2026
-
These stories usually involve a woman shucking societal norms of being nice, pretty, and obedient.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Accessibility There are ADA-compliant rooms and suites.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
-
The Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office hiring practices and standards have remained consistent, grounded in law, and fully compliant with the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES) requirements and state standards.—
Jack Springgate,
CBS News,
8 June 2026
Adjective
-
His humble and docile disposition resembles that of the air sign Libra, which holds moral righteousness and fair-mindedness.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
5 June 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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