Submissive

/səbˈmɪsɪv/ · adjective

Meaning

Meekly obedient or passive; obsequious..

Definitions by Sense

1. Meekly obedient or passive; obsequious.
2. (BDSM) Desiring or engaging in sexual submission.
3. (BDSM) One who submits to a dominating partner in BDSM practices.
4. (rare) One who submits.

Example Sentences

If the human being who answers these tendencies assumes a submissive behavior, in essence a lowering of head and shoulders, wavering glance, absence of all preparations for attack, general weakening of muscle tonus, and hesitancy in movement, the movements of attempt at mastery become modified into attempts at the more obvious swagger, strut and glare of triumph.

The powerful managers for government were not sufficiently submissive to the pleasure of the possessors of immediate and personal favour, sometimes from a confidence in their own strength natural and acquired; sometimes from a fear of offending their friends, and weakening that lead in the country, which gave them a consideration independent of the court.

Once oppression has been internalised, little force is needed to keep us submissive.

These "submissives" continued to go along as near as possible following the old routine of their lives and did no overt act to annoy any of the parties of whites that persisted in traveling through their country.

Synonyms for submissive

Antonyms for submissive

Related Words

Word Forms

• more submissive
• most submissive
• submissives

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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