submissive

[suhb-mis-iv]

adjective

1. inclined or ready to submit or yield to the authority of another; unresistingly or humbly obedient.

   submissive servants.

   Synonyms: amenable, pliant, compliant, tractable
   Antonyms: disobedient, rebellious

2. marked by or indicating submission or a yielding to the authority of another.

   a submissive reply.

   Synonyms: subdued, tame, docile, patient, resigned, passive

noun

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

submissive

/ səbˈmɪsɪv /

adjective

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

Other Word Forms

• submissiveness noun
• submissively adverb
• nonsubmissive adjective
• nonsubmissively adverb
• nonsubmissiveness noun
• quasi-submissive adjective
• quasi-submissively adverb
• unsubmissive adjective
• unsubmissively adverb
• unsubmissiveness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of submissive¹

First recorded in 1580–90; submiss + -ive

Example Sentences

If more men stopped wallowing in fantasies of capturing submissive tradwives and learned to just appreciate women as full human beings, that would be great not just for those guys, but also for society.

From Salon

Critics accuse the Lebanese government of being submissive to Washington — with Barrack’s tirade adding to their arguments.

From Los Angeles Times

The narrative of most far-right “tradwife” influencers is similar: They once believed in education and work, but they have now found their true calling in a submissive role.

From Salon

Men are born to be strong, domineering and intelligent, while women are fated to be weak, submissive and emotionally irrational.

From Salon

He has called on women to forgo education and careers so they can instead focus on being submissive housewives.

From Salon

Related Words

• accommodating 
• deferential 
• dutiful 
• meek 
• obedient 
• passive