submissive
Ready to comply
Submissive describes someone who yields to authority or the will of others, whether by temperament, circumstance, or choice.
A submissive posture signals deference; a submissive tone avoids confrontation.
In BDSM contexts, a submissive (or sub) is a person who consensually cedes control to a dominant partner: She identifies as a submissive.
The word can suggest weakness when applied critically, or willing surrender when applied neutrally.
Showing proper regard
- reverentFeeling profound respect
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- sycophanticServilely flattering
fawning · subservient · kowtowing · groveling · unctuous · ingratiating · bootlicking · toadying
Following commands willingly
- amenableWilling to comply
- acquiescentAccepting without resistance
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
- tractableEasily managed or controlled
biddable · conformable · manageable · dutiful · obliging · complaisant · accommodating · governable
Lacking courage or confidence
- mildModerate in intensity
- gentleSoft and kind
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
- passiveNot actively participating
docile · tame · soft · quiet · unassuming · modest · self-effacing · humble
Held under control
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- low-keyRestrained and understated
- unobtrusiveNot readily noticed
quiet · reserved · reticent · soft-spoken · suppressed · repressed · cowed · chastened
Ceasing to resist
- capitulatingCeasing to resist
- relentingBecoming less severe
- concedingAcknowledging another's claim
- deferringPostponing or yielding respectfully
ceding · acquiescing · succumbing · bowing · kneeling · genuflecting · prostrating · supplicating
respectful
Showing proper regard
- reverentFeeling profound respect
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
sycophantic · fawning · subservient · kowtowing · groveling · unctuous · ingratiating · bootlicking · toadying · self-abasing
obedient
Following commands willingly
- amenableWilling to comply
- acquiescentAccepting without resistance
- cooperativeJointly operated enterprise
tractable · biddable · conformable · manageable · dutiful · obliging · complaisant · accommodating · governable · controllable
timid
Lacking courage or confidence
- mildModerate in intensity
- gentleSoft and kind
- unassertiveNot forceful or bold
passive · docile · tame · soft · quiet · unassuming · modest · self-effacing · humble · diffident
restrained
Held under control
- mutedMade quieter or softer
- understatedDeliberately minimized in expression
- low-keyRestrained and understated
unobtrusive · quiet · reserved · reticent · soft-spoken · suppressed · repressed · cowed · chastened · broken
surrendering
Ceasing to resist
- capitulatingCeasing to resist
- relentingBecoming less severe
- concedingAcknowledging another's claim
deferring · ceding · acquiescing · succumbing · bowing · kneeling · genuflecting · prostrating · supplicating · entreating
- submissivesubservient, obedient, servile, docile, meek
- attitudespositive, negative, ambition, apathy, curiosity
- behaviorshabit, aggressive, agitation, conduct, passive
- conformityconformity, conforming, conform, conformist, conformism
- dog traitsloyal, friendly, loyalty, devoted, playful
- traitshonesty, ambitious, brave, calm, kindness
submissivedefiant
Openly resisting control
rebellious · disobedient · insubordinate · recalcitrant · unruly
submissivedominant
Having superior influence
domineering · commanding · authoritative · controlling · bossy
submissiveassertive
Confidently self-assured
aggressive · forceful · bold · self-assured · outspoken
- submission deadlineRequired completion time
- submission holdRestraint forcing capitulation
- call for submissions
- submission movesTechniques forcing opponent surrender
- submission dateRequired delivery date
- submissive postureBody position showing subordination
submission, submissions, submissiveness, submissively, unsubmissive, submissives