meek

/miːk/ (bre, ipa) · /miːk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmēk/ (ame, mw)

meek — adjective

  • meekpositive
  • meekercomparative
  • meekestsuperlative

1. describes a person who is gentle, quiet, and tends to accept what others want wi

1.形容詞B2
釋義

describes a person who is gentle, quiet, and tends to accept what others want without pushing back, arguing, or drawing attention to themselves

例句

Amara was too meek to speak up when the waiter brought the wrong order.

too meek to [do something] — adjective + to-infinitive pattern

The new boy gave a meek nod and sat at the back of the room.

同義詞
  • submissive

    stronger than 'meek'; emphasises yielding to another's authority or will

  • docile

    suggests being easy to control or manage; often used for animals or children

  • mild

    more neutral; can refer to temperament, flavour, or severity — not necessarily about self-assertion

  • gentle

    positive in tone; emphasises kindness and a calm manner, without the passivity of 'meek'

反義詞
  • assertive

    confident in stating one's opinions and needs

  • bold

    willing to take risks and speak up, the opposite of meek hesitancy

用法筆記

Often carries a slightly negative tone, suggesting the person is too passive and does not stand up for themselves. Compare with 'gentle', which is more neutral and can be a positive quality.

常見錯誤

❌The manager was meek and led the team with confidence.
✅The manager was mild-mannered and led the team with confidence.
💡'meek' implies excessive submissiveness that does not fit a leadership role; 'mild-mannered' is a more neutral choice.