Basic Details
Word: Submissive
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Too ready to obey other people and do whatever they want, without arguing or standing up for yourself.
Synonyms: obedient, meek, docile, compliant
Antonyms: defiant, assertive, rebellious
Word origin: Formed in English from submission, from Latin submittere 'to lower, put under', from sub 'under' and mittere 'to send, put'.
How to Spell Submissive
Syllables: sub - mis - sive
Tricky part: There is one m but a double s, and the word ends in -ive with an e. Submisive and summissive are common errors.
Watch out for: submisive, summissive, submissiv
Memory tip: Submit loses its t and gains ss, exactly as permit becomes permissive: submit, submission, submissive.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The puppy rolled onto its back, a submissive way of showing it meant no harm.
Example 2: In the old film the heroine seems quiet and submissive, yet she ends up leading the whole village.
Example 3: Our coach does not want submissive players; she wants us to ask questions.
Fun Fact
A wolf showing submission often crouches low, tucks its tail between its legs and licks the mouth of a more senior wolf in the pack.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) possessive
b) impressive
c) submisive
d) permissive
Show answer
c) submisive. Submission has a double s, and submissive keeps it, just as permission gives permissive.
Word Champ
Choose the correct option to make a meaningful word:
submiss____
a) ieve
b) ive
c) ave
d) iv
Show answer
b) ive. English adjectives like this end in -ive with a final e: massive, passive, submissive.
Sound Check
In which word is 'ss' pronounced differently?
a) submissive
b) massive
c) aggressive
d) mission
Show answer
d) mission. In mission the ss makes a sh sound; in the other three it is a plain s.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A submissive person usually ___.
a) leads every meeting
b) argues about every rule
c) does what others say
d) laughs at every joke
Show answer
c) does what others say
2. Submissive is built on which verb?
a) subsist
b) subside
c) subtract
d) submit
Show answer
d) submit
