Submission vs. Submissive — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Submission refers to the act of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the authority of another person, while submissive describes a person's ongoing characteristic of being inclined to submit.
Difference Between Submission and Submissive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Submission is the action of accepting or yielding to the power or authority of another, typically seen in contexts like legal, social, or religious settings. Whereas, being submissive is a personality trait that describes someone who regularly exhibits a willingness to yield to others.
Submission can be a situational behavior, applicable in specific scenarios where authority is recognized or enforced. On the other hand, a submissive person generally maintains this demeanor across various situations, making it a more consistent part of their interactions.
The concept of submission often involves a conscious decision to obey or follow the rules or commands of another. In contrast, someone who is submissive might not always make a conscious choice; it can be an inherent part of their personality.
In many cultures, submission is respected and expected in certain contexts, such as in military or religious practices. Conversely, being submissive can sometimes be viewed negatively, particularly if it affects a person's self-esteem or autonomy.
While submission might be required or expected in certain roles or situations, a submissive personality might struggle with asserting themselves even when it's in their best interest to do so.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of yielding to authority
A trait of being inclined to yield
Context
Specific situations (legal, social)
General demeanor
Decision-making
Often a conscious decision
Often an inherent trait
Cultural perception
Respected in certain contexts
Viewed variably, sometimes negatively
Impact on self
Situational
Can affect overall autonomy
Compare with Definitions
Submission
A legal document, proposal, or other material presented to a higher authority.
The legal team prepared their submission for the upcoming trial.
Submissive
Meekly obedient or passive.
The submissive employee rarely spoke up during meetings.
Submission
The condition of being submissive or compliant.
His submission to the company's regulations ensured a smooth workflow.
Submissive
Showing a disposition to yield to others.
In debates, his submissive approach often led others to overlook his valid points.
Submission
The action of accepting or yielding to a superior force or authority.
The knight's submission to the king was expected in the medieval court.
Submissive
Inclined or ready to submit or yield to the authority of others.
Her submissive nature made her a favorite among her supervisors.
Submission
The act of presenting something for consideration.
Submission of her novel to the publisher was her first step towards becoming a professional writer.
Submissive
Easily yielding to authority.
The guard dog was surprisingly submissive when off duty.
Submission
A state of being submissive in nature or character.
Submission in the dojo is part of the discipline required to learn martial arts.
Submissive
Characterized by an inclination to give in to others.
His submissive stance was evident when he quickly agreed without any objection.
Submission
The action of accepting or yielding to a superior force or to the will or authority of another person
They were forced into submission
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit.
Submission
The action of presenting a proposal, application, or other document for consideration or judgement
Reports should be prepared for submission at partners' meetings
Submissive
Obedient or passive.
Submission
The act or fact of submitting to the power of another
An army laying siege to a town to compel its submission.
A dog bowing its head in submission.
Submissive
(BDSM) One who submits to a dominant partner in BDSM practices.
Submission
The act of submitting something for consideration.
Submissive
(rare) One who submits.
Submission
Something so submitted
Read three fiction manuscripts and several other submissions.
Submissive
Inclined or ready to submit; acknowledging one's inferiority; yielding; obedient; humble.
Not at his feet submissive in distress,Creature so fair his reconcilement seeking.
Submission
The act of submitting or yielding; surrender.
Submissive
Showing a readiness to submit; expressing submission; as, a submissive demeanor.
With a submissive step I hasted down.
Submission
The act of submitting or giving e.g. a completed piece of work.
Any submissions received after Friday will have marks deducted for lateness.
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination;
Submissive servants
A submissive reply
Replacing troublemakers with more submissive people
Submission
The thing which has been submitted.
Submissive
Willing to submit without resistance to authority; deferent
Submission
A submission hold in wrestling, mixed martial arts, or other combat sports.
Submissive
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
Submission
A subset or component of a mission.
Submission
The act of submitting; the act of yielding to power or authority; surrender of the person and power to the control or government of another; obedience; compliance.
Submission, dauphin! 't is a mere French word;We English warrious wot not what it means.
Submission
The state of being submissive; acknowledgement of inferiority or dependence; humble or suppliant behavior; meekness; resignation.
In all submission and humilityYork doth present himself unto your highness.
No duty in religion is more justly required by God . . . than a perfect submission to his will in all things.
Submission
Acknowledgement of a fault; confession of error.
Be not as extreme in submissionAs in offense.
Submission
An agreement by which parties engage to submit any matter of controversy between them to the decision of arbitrators.
Submission
Something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition);
Several of his submissions were rejected by publishers
What was the date of submission of your proposal?
Submission
The act of submitting; usually surrendering power to another
Submission
The condition of having submitted to control by someone or something else;
The union was brought into submission
His submission to the will of God
Submission
The feeling of patient submissive humbleness
Submission
A legal document summarizing an agreement between parties in a dispute to abide by the decision of an arbiter
Submission
An agreement between parties in a dispute to abide by the decision of an arbiter
Submission
(law) a contention presented by a lawyer to a judge or jury as part of the case he is arguing
Common Curiosities
What characterizes a submissive person?
A submissive person is typically compliant, yielding, and meekly obedient to authority.
Can submission be seen as a positive trait?
Yes, in many contexts, such as religious or cultural practices, submission is seen as a positive and respectful trait.
What does submission mean?
Submission refers to the act of yielding to a superior force or authority.
How does submission manifest in professional settings?
In professional settings, submission often involves adhering to rules, following commands, and respecting hierarchies.
Can someone be submissive in one aspect of life and not in others?
Yes, individuals might display submissiveness in specific relationships or settings, while being assertive in others.
How does one handle a submissive personality in a competitive environment?
Managing a submissive personality in competitive settings involves encouraging assertiveness training and self-confidence.
Is being submissive a negative trait?
Being submissive can be perceived negatively if it affects personal autonomy and self-esteem, though it might be beneficial in certain relational dynamics.
What are the advantages of submission in a structured environment?
Submission can lead to harmony and efficient governance in structured environments like military or certain workplaces.
What are the psychological implications of being submissive?
Being excessively submissive can lead to issues like low self-esteem, passivity, and dependency on others for decision-making.
Are there gender stereotypes associated with being submissive?
Yes, certain cultures often stereotype women as being more submissive compared to men, although this is a broad and often inaccurate generalization.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
