meekness

noun

meek·​ness ˈmēk-nəs How to pronounce meekness (audio)
Synonyms of meekness
: the quality or state of being meek : a mild, moderate, humble, or submissive quality
He is accomplished in the art of approaching strangers, donning an air of such meekness and respect that no one can believe for long that he's a cop.—William Finnegan
His stance on Chinese trade has wavered to date between sheer intimidation on the campaign trail and meekness in actual negotiations.—Sara Hsu

Synonyms of meekness

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Examples of meekness in a Sentence

like most other things, meekness is best practiced in moderation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
May the Spirit of God, who is truth and strength, and instils meekness and courage, sustain you. — Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 9 Oct. 2025 Such meekness is understandable from him. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026 And Jesus' answer is one takes it through meekness, peacemaking, humility, love, etc. — Jason Derose, NPR, 26 May 2026 Likewise, meekness once meant not becoming weak, but subjugating power to reason – not letting anger take control. — Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for meekness

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of meekness was in the 13th century

Rhymes for meekness

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Browse Nearby Words

meekly
meekness
meemies
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Cite this Entry

“Meekness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/meekness. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on meekness

Nglish: Translation of meekness for Spanish Speakers

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