submissive

[ suhb-mis-iv ]

/ səbˈmɪs ɪv /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for submissive on Thesaurus.com

adjective

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

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

noun

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

OTHER WORDS FOR submissive

1 tractable, compliant, pliant, amenable.

2 passive, resigned, patient, docile, tame, subdued.

See synonyms for submissive on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR submissive

1 rebellious, disobedient.

See antonyms for submissive on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of submissive

First recorded in 1580–90; submiss + -ive

OTHER WORDS FROM submissive

sub·mis·sive·ly, adverbsub·mis·sive·ness, nounnon·sub·mis·sive, adjectivenon·sub·mis·sive·ly, adverb

non·sub·mis·sive·ness, nounqua·si-sub·mis·sive, adjectivequa·si-sub·mis·sive·ly, adverbun·sub·mis·sive, adjectiveun·sub·mis·sive·ly, adverbun·sub·mis·sive·ness, noun

Words nearby submissive

subminiaturize, subminimum, subminimum wage, submiss, submission, submissive, submit, submittal, submitted, submontane, submucosa

How to use submissive in a sentence

I’m not where they’re from and they can just beat the living crap out of people and think they’ll be submissive.
Schumer vows vote on Build Back Better legislation despite Manchin’s opposition|John Wagner|December 20, 2021|Washington Post
Being a stranger to Germany, Fazazi was, at the time, utterly dependent on her husband, and submissive to his views on where to go, and how to dress and behave.
In the shadow of the towers: Five lives and a world transformed|Joby Warrick, Souad Mekhennet|September 2, 2021|Washington Post
“Ensure that you aren’t the first one to stray away from making eye contact—that’s a submissive gesture,” says Donaldson.
Exude power and confidence with better body language|John Kennedy|August 13, 2021|Popular-Science
Many young women in the BDSM subculture find their way into a dominant role, whether coming from a submissive standpoint or not.
Dungeons and Genital Clamps: Inside a Legendary BDSM Chateau|Ian Frisch|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

There are three types of cuckolded men: the submissive, forced bisexual, and the voyeurs.
The Cuckolding Fetish: When Your Wife’s Cheating Turns You On|Aurora Snow|February 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They do it because they want women to be submissive, second-class citizen.
Harassment Of Women Is Nothing New—The Internet Just Makes It Easier|Amanda Marcotte|January 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Demeanor: If your dog is really submissive, do you really want a bully?
Sunny’s Debut, Bo’s Bubble, and the Undogly Life of a Presidential Pet|Dr. Patty Khuly|August 21, 2013|DAILY BEAST
She got into two serious dogfights with much larger male dogs, and showed zero signs of playing the female submissive.
My Dog Solha: From Afghanistan, With PTSD|Jessie Knadler|March 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Fashion—Do not be too submissive to the dictates of fashion; at the same time avoid oddity or eccentricity in your dress.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
Instead of creating men, a perfect God ought to have created only docile and submissive angels.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
Their profession requires vile and submissive slaves, who never have the audacity to reason.
Superstition In All Ages (1732)|Jean Meslier
A week passed thus: the count came twice to see me, and always preserved the same cold and submissive manner.
Chicot the Jester|Alexandre Dumas, Pere
Folk made they submissive readily enough, and many country folk were thereon baptized.
The Sagas of Olaf Tryggvason and of Harald The Tyrant (Harald Haardraade)|Snorri Sturluson

British Dictionary definitions for submissive

submissive

/ (səbˈmɪsɪv) /

adjective

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

Derived forms of submissive

submissively, adverbsubmissiveness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

submissive

OTHER WORDS FOR submissive

OPPOSITES FOR submissive

Origin of submissive

OTHER WORDS FROM submissive

Words nearby submissive

Words related to submissive

How to use submissive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for submissive

Derived forms of submissive