Meek vs. Subservient — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
Meekness implies humility and a gentle disposition, while subservience involves excessive eagerness to follow others’ orders or serve them.
Difference Between Meek and Subservient
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Meek individuals often exhibit a quiet and gentle attitude, avoiding aggression or assertiveness in their interactions. On the other hand, subservient people display a readiness to obey others excessively, often at the expense of their own autonomy.
While meekness is generally seen as a personal trait characterized by humility and patience, subservience is more about one's behavior in relationships, indicating a lower position or value relative to others.
Meek people may be respected for their reserved strength and moral integrity. Whereas, subservient individuals might be viewed negatively as lacking self-worth or independence.
In leadership, a meek leader can still be effective by influencing others through respect and ethical behavior. In contrast, a subservient person might struggle to lead effectively due to their tendency to always yield to others’ commands or opinions.
Culturally, meekness can be admired as a virtue in many societies, associated with wisdom and self-control. Subservience, however, is often seen as a negative trait, associated with undue deference and weakness.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Gentle and not inclined to fight or assert dominance.
Eager to obey others implicitly, often without question.
Perceived as
Humble and patient.
Obedient and overly compliant.
Relationship dynamics
Equal but non-confrontational.
Often seen as lower or less important.
Leadership style
Influences with ethical conduct and respect.
Struggles in leadership due to lack of assertiveness.
Cultural perception
Often viewed positively as a virtue.
Frequently seen negatively as a sign of weakness.
Compare with Definitions
Meek
Lacking in power or strength.
In the meeting, his meek presence barely shifted any opinions.
Subservient
Prepared to obey others unquestioningly.
She was subservient to her boss's every demand, no matter how trivial.
Meek
Submissive and compliant.
Her meek submission to the rules made her a favorite among strict teachers.
Subservient
Serving as a means to an end.
The committee was subservient to the board, executing decisions without debate.
Meek
Gentle and easily imposed upon; soft-spoken.
The meek student never contested the grades she received.
Subservient
Showing an excessive willingness to serve or please others.
His subservient attitude at work often led to him being overlooked for promotions.
Meek
Patient and non-retaliatory.
He responded with a meek smile, even though he was unfairly criticized.
Subservient
Less important; subordinate.
He took on a subservient role in the project, always following others' leads.
Meek
Showing mildness or quiet nature.
He was meek in his demeanor, always the first to listen and last to speak.
Subservient
Subordinate in capacity or function.
Meek
Showing patience and humility; gentle.
Subservient
Obsequious; servile.
Meek
Easily imposed on; submissive.
Subservient
Useful as a means or an instrument; serving to promote an end.
Meek
Humble, non-boastful, modest, meager, or self-effacing.
Subservient
Useful in an inferior capacity.
Meek
Submissive, dispirited.
Subservient
Obsequiously submissive.
Meek
(US) (of horses) To tame; to break.
Subservient
Fitted or disposed to subserve; useful in an inferior capacity; serving to promote some end; subordinate; hence, servile, truckling.
Scarce ever reading anything which he did not make subservient in one kind or other.
These ranks of creatures are subservient one to another.
Their temporal ambition was wholly subservient to their proselytizing spirit.
Meek
Mild of temper; not easily provoked or orritated; patient under injuries; not vain, or haughty, or resentful; forbearing; submissive.
Now the man Moses was very meek.
Subservient
Compliant and obedient to authority;
Editors and journalists who express opinions in print that are opposed to the interests of the rich are dismissed and replaced by subservient ones
Meek
Evincing mildness of temper, or patience; characterized by mildness or patience; as, a meek answer; a meek face.
Subservient
Abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant;
Slavish devotion to her job ruled her life
A slavish yes-man to the party bosses
She has become submissive and subservient
Meek
To make meek; to nurture in gentleness and humility.
Meek
Humble in spirit or manner; suggesting retiring mildness or even cowed submissiveness;
Meek and self-effacing
Meek
Very docile;
Tame obedience
Meek as a mouse
Meek
Evidencing little spirit or courage; overly submissive or compliant;
Compliant and anxious to suit his opinions of those of others
A fine fiery blast against meek conformity
She looked meek but had the heart of a lion
Was submissive and subservient
Common Curiosities
What defines a meek person?
A meek person is generally gentle, not aggressive, and shows patience and humility.
Why is subservience considered negative?
It often indicates a lack of self-worth and an excessive eagerness to please, which can be detrimental in personal and professional settings.
How can a meek personality impact relationships?
Meekness can lead to harmonious relationships due to the avoidance of conflict and a calm demeanor.
Can a meek person be a good leader?
Yes, meek individuals can lead effectively by exemplifying respect, ethical behavior, and moral integrity.
Is meekness a weakness?
While often seen as a strength in cultural and spiritual contexts, in competitive environments, meekness can sometimes be perceived as a weakness.
Can subservience be a positive trait?
While generally viewed negatively, in some contexts, such as in service-oriented professions, it can be beneficial.
Is there a positive aspect of being meek?
Yes, meekness is often associated with virtues like wisdom, self-control, and the ability to maintain peace.
How to balance meekness and assertiveness?
Balancing these traits involves asserting oneself when necessary while maintaining a gentle and respectful approach.
What societal roles value meekness?
Roles that require diplomacy, counseling, and caregiving often value the qualities associated with meekness.
What are the signs of subservience?
Signs include excessive obedience, lack of assertiveness, and a tendency to put others' needs and commands above one’s own.
Can subservience lead to abuse or exploitation?
Yes, those who are excessively subservient are at a higher risk of being exploited or abused.
How does subservience affect workplace dynamics?
It can lead to an imbalanced power dynamic where subservient individuals may be undervalued or exploited.
Do subservient people have self-esteem issues?
Often, yes, subservient behavior may stem from low self-esteem or a lack of confidence.
What is the main difference between being meek and subservient?
The main difference lies in the nature of meekness as a passive trait of humility versus subservience as an active behavior of deference.
Are subservient behaviors learned or inherent?
Such behaviors are often learned through cultural, familial, or professional environments.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
