unassertive

as in meek
not talking or behaving in a loud and confident way a modest, unassertive person an unassertive manner

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unassertive 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
  • Tessa Thompson stars as the willful heroine, married to a rather meek academic, George Tesman (Tom Bateman), who’s angling for an important university position.
    Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Employment growth is meek, but the labor market is holding steady.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • These once-humble activities are reclaiming their place not as quaint relics, but as powerful tools for well-being.
    Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Ready to let the humble-yet-mighty brown work its magic in your wardrobe this fall?
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While second-year quarterback Caleb Williams had a modest outing, completing 15 of 26 passes for 172 yards without a touchdown, Chicago’s ground game stole the spotlight.
    The Athletic NFL Staff, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
  • The President praised the speed with which this modest protest was suppressed.
    David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Babies also have new behaviors, from a playful and inquisitive Diplodocus to a more timid Moros Intrepidus.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
  • In the bit, Rihanna and Ronnie (Andy Samberg) are dropping knowledge to a group of grade schoolers with the singer crooning in her power range as timid Ronnie can barely rise above a whisper to her utter consternation.
    Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 14 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unassertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unassertive. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!