Definition
Meek means being mild, humble or submissive in nature.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective.
Synonyms
humble, modest, docile, gentle, submissive, quiet, unassuming, mild, lowly, obedient.
Antonyms
Bold, aggressive, confident, assertive, strong-willed, dominant, proud, arrogant.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | meekness, meeknesses |
| Verb | None |
| Adjective | meek |
| Adverb | meekly |
Example Sentences
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Despite his wealth and status, he remained meek and humble towards his fellow men.
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The meek voice of the timid girl was barely audible in the loud and boisterous crowd.
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The humble and meek disposition of the monk won the hearts of many who visited the monastery.
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The meek behavior of the shy teenager often made him an easy target for bullies in school.
Usage
The word ‘meek’ is one of those adjectives that denotes a mild, humble or unassuming disposition in a person. It can be used in different contexts to describe people’s personalities, behavior, and attitudes towards others. The word ‘meek’ has its roots in Old English ‘mēoc,’ which meant “gentle, kind, or soft.” It is often used as an antonym to words like aggressive, bold, dominant, or arrogant.
The prefix ‘un-’ can be added to the word ‘meek’ to make it ‘unmeek’ which means the opposite of being meek. It describes a person who is bold, aggressive or assertive in their behavior towards others. Another variation of the word ‘meek’ can be found in the noun ‘meekness,’ which is derived from ‘meek’ and refers to the state or quality of being meek.
The word ‘meek’ is often used in biblical contexts to refer to a state of humility or submission before God. For instance, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). In this sense, ‘meek’ describes a person who is gentle, patient, and shows long-suffering even under challenging circumstances.
Meekness is a quality that is valued in many cultures and is often associated with wise leadership. A meek leader is someone who leads by example, listens to others, and is not driven by power or personal gain but seeks the good of all. For instance, Mahatma Gandhi is known for his meekness and nonviolent approach to bringing socio-political changes to India during colonial times.
In conclusion, the word ‘meek’ is an adjective that is used to describe a mild, gentle, or humble disposition in people. It can be used in a wide range of contexts to describe people’s attitudes or behaviors towards others. Prefixes like ‘un-’ can be added to it to give a different meaning, while the noun ‘meekness’ refers to the quality of being meek. Meekness is a quality that is valued in many cultures and is often associated with wise leadership.