submissive

[ suhb-mis-iv ]

adjective

1. inclined or ready to submit or yield to the authority of another; unresistingly or humbly obedient:

   submissive servants.

   Synonyms: amenable, pliant, compliant, tractable

   Antonyms: disobedient, rebellious

2. marked by or indicating submission or a yielding to the authority of another:

   a submissive reply.

   Synonyms: subdued, tame, docile, patient, resigned, passive

noun

1. alsocalledcomma Informal, sub. the participant in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship who is obedient, giving power and control to another participant.

submissive

/ səbˈmɪsɪv /

adjective

1. of, tending towards, or indicating submission, humility, or servility

Derived Forms

• subˈmissiveness, noun
• subˈmissively, adverb

Other Words From

• sub·missive·ly adverb
• sub·missive·ness noun
• nonsub·missive adjective
• nonsub·missive·ly adverb
• nonsub·missive·ness noun
• quasi-sub·missive adjective
• quasi-sub·missive·ly adverb
• unsub·missive adjective
• unsub·missive·ly adverb
• unsub·missive·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of submissive¹

First recorded in 1580–90; submiss + -ive

Example Sentences

The character’s influence lies in her ability to observe and to be “totally alert” to everything happening around her during the conclave, but not in a submissive way.

From Los Angeles Times

Making the decision myself, and forcing the issue, was antithetical to his expectation that I continue to be a submissive wife.

From Salon

When a man like Musk walks away from his kids, the right wants to accuse the mother of running him off, usually by not being submissive enough.

From Salon

He invoked an insecure masculinity rooted in the use of violence against real or often perceived threats, which requires a submissive, helpless, vulnerable woman to protect in order to validate its existence.

From Salon

Dr. José Martínez, the host, began by observing that “the Bible says that every authority is established by God, and it calls on to be submissive to that authority and recognize and respect all authority.”

From Salon

Related Words

• accommodating
• deferential
• dutiful
• meek
• obedient
• passive