submissives

Those who defer

Submissives are people who take the yielding role in power-exchange relationships, particularly in BDSM contexts.

A submissive consents to follow a dominant partner's lead, whether in sexual encounters or broader relationship dynamics.

The term applies across genders and orientations: The club hosted a discussion group for submissives.

Outside BDSM, submissives may describe anyone inclined to defer to others' authority.

behavioral

followers

People who support someone

deferential · yielding · passive · acquiescent · obedient · subordinate · timid · unassertive · accommodating · agreeable

BDSM

dominants

Those exerting control

  • bottomsLowest portions of things
  • subsTemporary replacements, briefly
  • slavesPersons owned by others

masochists · collars · safewords · kneeling · obedience · protocols · dynamics · scenes · aftercare · contracts

animal

subordinates

Those ranked below

  • omegaTwenty-fourth Greek letter
  • betaGreek alphabet's second letter
  • appeasementSatisfying demands to prevent conflict

belly-up · cowering · social rank · dominance displays · pecking order · averted gaze · crouching · pack dynamics

Categories
Opposites
power dynamic role

submissivesdominants

Those exerting control

doms · dominatrices · masters · mistresses · tops

behavioral disposition

submissivesdominants

Those exerting control

aggressors · leaders · rebels · commanders · resisters

Phrases
Family

submissive, submissiveness, submissively, unsubmissive

Familiarity
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