submissive

1 of 2

adjective

sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmi-siv How to pronounce submissive (audio)
Synonyms of submissivenext
: submitting to others
submissive employees
submissively adverb
submissiveness noun

submissiveness

2 of 2

noun

sub·​mis·​sive·​ness
-sivnə̇s, 
-sēv- also -sə̇v-
plural -es
: the quality or state of being submissive

Synonyms of submissive

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Adjective

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Examples of submissive in a Sentence

Adjective it's not in her nature to be submissive
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.
Adjective
Which doesn’t mean the non-wizards are completely submissive. — Miles Klee, Wired News, 21 May 2026 This is a strategy born not of manly strength, but of submissive desperation. — Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 Miranda’s latest submissive prince-consort boyfriend is played by Kenneth Branagh, bizarrely the lead violinist in a string quartet. — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026 Harry Melling stars as a young introvert who meets an older biker (Alexander Skarsgård) and becomes his submissive. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for submissive

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1572, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of submissive was in 1572

Rhymes for submissive

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Browse Nearby Words

submissionist
submissive
submissively
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Cite this Entry

“Submissive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/submissive. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

submissive

adjective
sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmis-iv How to pronounce submissive (audio)
: inclined or willing to submit to others : yielding
submissively adverb
submissiveness noun
Etymology

Adjective

from Latin submissus, past participle of submittere "to let down," from sub- "under, below" and mittere "to send, throw" — related to message

Medical Definition

submissive

adjective
sub·​mis·​sive səb-ˈmis-iv How to pronounce submissive (audio)
: characterized by tendencies to yield to the will or authority of others
bullying usually involves a stronger, more dominant personality coercing a weaker, more submissive personality—S. W. Twemlow et al.
submissiveness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on submissive

Nglish: Translation of submissive for Spanish Speakers

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