submissive

/səb'misiv/

Thân thiện

A dog shows submissive behavior by rolling onto its back.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Willing to obey or yield to others: Describes a person who readily accepts the authority, control, or wishes of another person.
   • Showing a humble or meek attitude: Characterized by a lack of resistance and a tendency to give in.

Usage

• Used to describe a person's character, behavior, or attitude.
• Often follows linking verbs like , , , or .
• Can be used in both positive (e.g., cooperative, respectful) and negative (e.g., weak, servile) contexts, depending on the situation.

Examples

• General Character:
  • He was too submissive to stand up for his own rights.
  • The dog was trained to be submissive to its owner.
• Behavior or Response:
  • She gave a submissive nod and agreed to the terms.
  • His submissive attitude made it easy for others to take advantage of him.

Advanced Usage

• "To be submissive to someone/something": To be obedient or yielding to a specific person or force.
  • The citizens were forced to be submissive to the new regime.
• In psychology or relationship contexts, it can describe a specific dynamic of power and consent.

Variants and Related Words

• Submission (n): The act of submitting or yielding.
  • His immediate submission to the request surprised everyone.
• Submissively (adv): In a submissive manner.
  • She listened submissively without argument.
• Submissiveness (n): The quality of being submissive.
  • His constant submissiveness was seen as a lack of confidence.

Synonyms

• Obedient: Complying with commands.
• Docile: Easy to manage or teach.
• Compliant: Disposed to agree with others.
• Meek: Quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on.

Antonyms

• Dominant: Commanding, controlling.
• Assertive: Confidently self-assured.
• Defiant: Boldly resistant.
• Rebellious: Defying authority.

Related Phrases

• To show submission: To demonstrate obedience or surrender.
  • Lowering one's gaze can be a sign of submission.
• In a submissive posture: A physical stance indicating surrender or lack of threat.
  • The wolf rolled over, adopting a submissive posture.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant
   • slavish devotion to her job ruled her life
   • a slavish yes-man to the party bosses- S.H.Adams
   • she has become submissive and subservient
2. inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination
   • submissive servants
   • a submissive reply
   • replacing troublemakers with more submissive people

Từ đồng nghĩa

• slavish
• subservient