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meek
/miːk/
quietly obedient
She was too meek to argue back when criticized.
She was so quiet and obedient that she didn’t defend herself when criticized.
neutral
Quiet, gentle, and easily imposed on; submissive.
The meek employee never complained about the extra work.
The quiet, obedient employee never voiced dissatisfaction with the extra tasks.
He accepted the unfair treatment with meek resignation.
He quietly accepted the unfair treatment without protest.
Often implies a lack of assertiveness or courage rather than genuine humility. Can carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting weakness or timidity.
Collocations
meek and mildextremely quiet and gentlemeek submissionpassive acceptance without resistance
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'meek'
'Meek' can sound judgmental. Instead of 'He’s meek,' try 'He’s reserved' or 'She’s unassertive' for neutral descriptions.
Gold Rule
Connotation matters
'Meek' often implies criticism or pity. Use it carefully—it rarely describes someone positively unless in a specific context like religious texts.
Word Origin
From Middle English *meke*, from Old Norse *mjúkr* (soft, gentle), related to English 'mild'. The spelling shifted to 'meek' by the 16th century.
Usage Notes
While 'meek' can describe harmless or gentle behavior, it is often used critically to imply weakness or a lack of strength. In religious contexts (e.g., 'the meek shall inherit the earth'), it carries a positive connotation of humility.
English Dictionary