as in meek
not talking or behaving in a loud and confident way
a modest, unassertive person an unassertive manner
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unassertive
This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock.
—
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Accommodating, which is unassertive and cooperative, prioritizes the needs and preferences of others over one’s own in order to maintain harmony.
—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Shy and unassertive, she’s often been overlooked by others and kept to herself.
—
Yasmine Alsayyad,
The New Yorker,
9 Jan. 2023
After a time, Patterson’s play-it-down-the-middle approach feels less like the remembrances of a Renaissance man and more like evasive, unassertive hedging.
—
Mark Athitakis,
Washington Post,
6 June 2022
My own thoughts have been along the line of weak, unassertive, super humble and timid.
—
Glenna Christensen,
idahostatesman,
14 June 2018
Meryl Streep stars as Post owner Katherine Graham, an unassertive socialite who normally follows the journalistic lead of her editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks, playing it too cute).
—
John Powers,
Vogue,
13 Dec. 2017
Los Angeles Times,
27 Feb. 2026
Accommodating, which is unassertive and cooperative, prioritizes the needs and preferences of others over one’s own in order to maintain harmony.
—
Ellen Choi,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Shy and unassertive, she’s often been overlooked by others and kept to herself.
—
Yasmine Alsayyad,
The New Yorker,
9 Jan. 2023
After a time, Patterson’s play-it-down-the-middle approach feels less like the remembrances of a Renaissance man and more like evasive, unassertive hedging.
—
Mark Athitakis,
Washington Post,
6 June 2022
My own thoughts have been along the line of weak, unassertive, super humble and timid.
—
Glenna Christensen,
idahostatesman,
14 June 2018
Meryl Streep stars as Post owner Katherine Graham, an unassertive socialite who normally follows the journalistic lead of her editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks, playing it too cute).
—
John Powers,
Vogue,
13 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unassertive
Adjective
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Contrasting her with the meek, mysterious, and passive Anthy, the series examines the constrictions both men and women face via traditional gender roles, with an eye towards gender fluidity that remains radical today.
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The series centers on Cha Myung-jo, a meek worker at a company producing imitation character stickers who, despite nominally heading his household, lives in the shadow of his far more capable wife.
Adjective
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Some Wordlers also play Competitive Wordle against friends, family, the Wordle Bot or even against me, your humble narrator.
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Oxygen transfer involves several interacting processes; many of them converge at the humble cork.
Adjective
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Because SpaceX's publicly tradable float remains small compared with its total market capitalization, even a modest index weighting could require meaningful purchases from passive investment vehicles.
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The organization is seeking investors willing to accept modest returns in exchange for preserving historic buildings, supporting local businesses and maintaining the character of West Marin communities.
Adjective
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Playing Mary Bennet — Elizabeth’s younger and more timid sister — Bruccoleri set out to portray the coming of age story of a Regency woman.
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Don’t be timid; get the crust good and wet before proceeding.
Cite this Entry
“Unassertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unassertive. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.
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