Word Adjective
submissive
adj.
B2 Upper Intermediate US /səbˈmɪsɪv/ UK /səbmˈɪsɪv/ sub·mis·sive
Definition
adj.willing to obey someone else without arguing. You use this to describe a person who lets others control them or make all the decisions.
adj.ready to conform to the authority or will of others; meekly obedient. Often used to describe a personality trait or a specific social dynamic.
Examples
“He was very submissive and always did what his boss asked.”
“In some animal groups, a submissive individual will lower its head to show it does not want to fight the leader.”
“The negotiator mistook the diplomat's quiet tone for a submissive attitude, failing to realize that her silence was actually a calculated refusal to engage with his demands.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after linking verbs like 'become', 'remain', or 'seem'.
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Frequent
Updated