submissively
1
5.3
- adverb
- /səbˈmɪsɪvli/
:
sumisamente
- "Yes, indeed, Tracy," he said submissively.
- bow submissively
- act submissively
- said submissively
Examples
-
However, although Mariana acts submissively by asking and later by complying with Jose Claudio's wishes, there is subtle control in her behavior as well.
Academic text (1997) -
The girl bowed submissively, yet her eyes held fierce determination.
Fiction book (1994) -
"Yes, dear," Kalten said submissively, and the two went back up the corridor.
Fiction book (1993) -
Dueine's eyes seemed to water, but she nodded submissively.
Fiction book (2002) -
Then she lowered her eyes submissively and heard a murmur of comment from the flock.
Fiction book (1990) -
"Fayth lowered her eyes submissively, though her hands kneaded the dog's fur."
Fiction book (2002) -
I imagined my mother's mouth opening submissively, my father placing the pill on her tongue and tipping her water glass up to her lips.
Fiction book (1996) -
So saying, Nigel had put his huge busted-knuckle hand against her pale, hard face, and she had looked down submissively, trembling a little, knowing not to smile.
Fiction book (1996) -
Defeated animals often act submissively to signal that the fight is over and avoid further injury.
-
The monk had no choice but to drop his eyes submissively as he listened to the teachings.
Synonyms
21
3.7
In a way that shows you do what you should do
12
2.7
In a willing way to do what someone says
9
4.3
In a quiet, gentle, humble way without arguing
4
8.4
In a way that copies others exactly without thinking
1
7.0
In a respectful way toward someone older or in charge
1
7.4
In a quiet way that does not try to resist
1
4.6
In a way that follows rules or instructions
1
5.5
In a calm, obedient way that follows instructions
1
8.2
You do what someone tells you without asking questions
1
9.9
In a way that tries too hard to please someone
In a willing way, showing no resistance
Not acting or protesting when something unfair happens
Antonyms
How Submissive
Surface Forms
Morphology
submissively = submissive (transparent) = submit + ive + ly
The adverb is transparently formed by adding the productive adverbial suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'submissive'.
Etymology
Submissively comes from Latin parts sub- meaning 'under' and mittere meaning 'to send', the same root you see in submit and mission. So, to act submissively is like 'putting yourself under' someone — ready to obey or give in.