meekness

American

[meek-nis] / ˈmik nɪs /

noun

the quality of being patient or quiet in nature.

The theme of her sermon was that quietness and meekness are the beginning of wisdom.
the quality of being overly submissive.

Several speakers criticized the government for its meekness when confronted with threats.

Other Word Forms

overmeekness noun

Etymology

Origin of meekness

meek ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That’s what makes McBride singularly compelling in playing her – she’s constantly holding Carol’s danger and determination under a gossamer veil of meekness.

From Salon • Sep. 29, 2024

Even musical theater titans like Rodgers and Berlin succumbed to harmonic meekness and rhythmic sclerosis as they approached their 70s.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2023

John Paul was known as "The Smiling Pope" because of his meekness and simplicity.

From Reuters • Sep. 4, 2022

An abdominal muscle did the threatening this time, and by the second set it clearly sapped some caliber from his backhand and his serve, the latter often laced with uncharacteristic meekness.

From Washington Post • Jul. 6, 2022

There was little of that meekness in her now.

From "Educated" by Tara Westover

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023