1
a
: enduring harm or injury with patience and without resentment
… content to bind her broken spirit to the dutiful and meek endurance of the present.—Charles Dickens
"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth."—Matthew 5:5 (Revised Standard Version)
b
: having or showing a quiet and gentle nature : mild
Hazan … held the female pup up, allowing its meek calls to project over the clamoring waves.—Dino Grandoni and Melina Mara
This is not a color for the meek, and fabric styles are equally bold these days.—Erin Hayes Burt
2
: deficient in spirit and courage : submissive
"I don't care," came the meek reply.—Annetta Miller
My indignation ebbed away, and into my being rushed the tides of fear. I saw at last, clear-eyed, what I was up against. I grew meek and lowly.—Jack London
3
: not violent or strong
But growth is meek, which could be a sign of consumer skittishness.—Jonathan Lansner
His delivery varied from a meek, melodic patter to rapid-fire scriptural allusions …—Bob Trebilcock
meekly
adverb
Cite this Entry
“Meek.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meek. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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