adjective

meek

/miːk/ · say it: MEEK

quiet, gentle, and submissive

In Personality & Character

In more detail

1. (adjective) quiet, gentle, and not willing to argue or fight back

2. (adjective) not showing strong feelings or confidence; submissive

Examples

1. He had a meek personality and rarely spoke up in meetings.
2. She gave a meek smile and apologized for the misunderstanding.

How to use meek

Meek describes someone quiet and gentle who avoids conflict, often implying passivity or lack of confidence. It can be neutral or slightly disapproving depending on context, suggesting either admirable gentleness or problematic lack of assertiveness. The term is more literary and formal than simple synonyms like 'quiet' or 'gentle'.

Common phrases

meek and mild
meek acceptance
a meek voice
meek demeanor
meek compliance

Synonyms

gentle · docile · submissive · mild · unassuming

Opposites

aggressive · assertive · bold

Word family

meekly (adverb) · meekness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse meek with 'weak' or use it to mean simply 'quiet', missing the key sense of unwillingness to assert oneself or stand up for one's rights.

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