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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in obedience
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
his uncharacteristic submissiveness to the doctor's advice must mean he's really sick
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of submissive
Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Cowed by DeSantis, weak and submissive lawmakers unquestioningly approved his culture-war agenda.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
The issue then was DeSantis’ marginalizing of Black voting strength in North Florida, forcing a submissive Legislature to swallow his map of congressional districts — an issue that’s the Legislature’s prerogative.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
What’s more, the deal would very likely provoke a political and military crisis in Ukraine, which Russia could exploit to finally achieve its objective of turning the country into a submissive dominion.
—Elie Tenenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Adjective
This dynamic inadvertently fosters a dominant/submissive power play, providing Romy with an unexpected outlet to explore and indulge her kinks.
—Robert Lang, Deadline, 7 Jan. 2025
Cowed by DeSantis, weak and submissive lawmakers unquestioningly approved his culture-war agenda.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
The issue then was DeSantis’ marginalizing of Black voting strength in North Florida, forcing a submissive Legislature to swallow his map of congressional districts — an issue that’s the Legislature’s prerogative.
—Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025
What’s more, the deal would very likely provoke a political and military crisis in Ukraine, which Russia could exploit to finally achieve its objective of turning the country into a submissive dominion.
—Elie Tenenbaum, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for submissive
Recent Examples of Synonyms for submissive
Adjective
-
They’re done being obedient to an archaic and broken system.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
1 Aug. 2024
-
According to the new framing, Russia’s real fight is against the mighty United States, which wants to destroy it, while Ukraine—just like the European Union and NATO—is merely an obedient U.S. satellite.—
Andrei Kolesnikov,
Foreign Affairs,
25 May 2023
Noun
-
This can be through walking, obedience training, running, games of fetch, or swimming.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 May 2025
-
There may have been very little emotional vulnerability exchanged between kids and parents, while kids were required to perform obedience rather than express their authentic selves.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
6 May 2025
Noun
-
In a post-American Europe, Moscow would establish a patchwork of individual relationships with European countries, confronting some with territorial threats and gray-zone tactics (such as disinformation campaigns) and rewarding others for their acquiescence with cheap energy.—
Liana Fix,
Foreign Affairs,
1 May 2025
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Their children and grandchildren will read about their silence, acquiescence, and cowardice.—
Tom Zirpoli,
Baltimore Sun,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/submissive. Accessed 6 Jun. 2025.
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