docile

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'docile' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a person who is easily managed and taught, or a creature who is gentle and easily handled. For example, "The teacher found her class to be particularly docile that day, not requiring any extra discipline or instruction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It seems that, for many of our fellow citizens, the Muslims they would like to see in our public life – if there have to be any – should be those that are voluble in their gratefulness that they have been allowed to live in the UK but are otherwise utterly docile.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet the wolf depicted in Musei Leveriani looks closer to a collie, docile and pastoral.

The Guardian

Give me a blanket, a standard lamp, a boiling kettle and about three square feet of floorspace and I'll hand you back a baby that's as docile and contented as a wagyu cow.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The fact that a pitch that has seemed docile for four days can suddenly become capricious and ready to be exploited in the last one or two sessions of the final day is one reason why the proposal of the ECB chairman-elect, Colin Graves, that there should be four-day Tests with an increase in overs per day is wide of the mark.

The Guardian - Sport

The assembly elected Zafarullah Khan Jamali, a portly, genial character expected to prove a docile partner for the army.

The Economist

A flicker of dissent emerged among China's normally docile lawmakers when the project, a dream of Chinese leaders since Sun Yat-sen early last century, was pushed through parliament in 1992.

The Economist

His record, and his firm's relatively depressed share price, would make it hard for even a board as docile as Morgan Stanley's to endorse any other move short of a sale.

The Economist

Chastened by the bad publicity they received ten years ago, and now cowed into submission by the war on terror, they have become respectable, even docile.

The Economist

Mira did most of the talking, while Milosevic sat and nodded, like a docile and obedient husband, she recalled, when our correspondent interviewed her for his biography of Milosevic.The farcical scenes soon turned to tragedy when Yugoslavia collapsed into war in the summer of 1991.

The Economist

Federal officials muse about taking over the administration of the province, or at least its justice system.The Juárez family has friends in Congress, in the ruling Peronist party and in the docile provincial legislature.

The Economist

But it is revealing that Peking should have taken such pains to round up these apparently docile spokesmen.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing animals or people, use "docile" to emphasize their gentle and easily managed nature. This is particularly effective in contexts where highlighting a lack of aggression or resistance is beneficial.

Common error

Avoid using "docile" when you intend to convey weakness or lack of intelligence. While a "docile" person is easily managed, it doesn't necessarily mean they are unintelligent or lack their own will. Use the term to highlight manageability and gentleness, not to imply deficiency.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "docile" primarily functions to describe a quality of being easily managed, controlled, or taught. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts. It often appears to characterize individuals, animals, or even abstract concepts like markets or political entities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "docile" functions as an adjective describing something or someone easily managed or taught. Ludwig AI confirms its standard grammatical correctness and general usability. The term frequently appears in news and media contexts. While it can carry slightly negative connotations when applied to people, implying a lack of independence, it typically conveys ease of management, control, or teaching. Related terms include "compliant", "submissive", and "tractable", each offering nuanced variations on the theme of manageability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compliant

Implies adherence to rules or requests, similar to "docile" but emphasizes obedience to specific guidelines.

tractable

Highlights ease of management or control, like "docile" but focuses on the ease with which something can be handled.

obedient

Directly implies following commands or instructions, more specific than the general manageability suggested by "docile".

submissive

Suggests a willingness to yield to the authority or control of others, carrying a stronger connotation of yielding than "docile".

manageable

Indicates the capacity to be controlled or handled effectively, emphasizing the practical aspect of control, unlike "docile" which also includes a sense of gentleness.

amenable

Signifies willingness to agree or cooperate, showing a positive attitude towards direction, different from "docile" which may imply a lack of resistance rather than active agreement.

pliable

Highlights the characteristic of being easily influenced or bent, both physically and metaphorically, which adds a sense of malleability not always present in "docile".

acquiescent

Emphasizes passive acceptance or agreement without protest, which is a more subdued form of compliance than "docile".

yielding

Indicates a tendency to give way under pressure or influence, focusing on the act of surrendering, while "docile" describes a consistent state of being.

easily led

Suggests a susceptibility to influence, often implying a lack of independent thought or judgment, which is a more critical assessment than simply being "docile".

FAQs

How can I use "docile" in a sentence?

You can use "docile" to describe someone or something easily managed or taught, for example, "The students were unusually "docile" during the lesson today" or "The breed is known for its "docile" nature".

What are some synonyms for "docile"?

Alternatives to "docile" include "compliant", "submissive", "tractable", and "manageable", each with slightly different nuances depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to describe a person as "docile"?

While grammatically correct, describing a person as "docile" can sometimes carry negative connotations, suggesting a lack of independent thought or will. Consider using it carefully and being mindful of the context. More neutral alternatives might include "cooperative" or "agreeable".

What is the difference between "docile" and "passive"?

"Docile" implies being easily managed or taught, while "passive" suggests a lack of active participation or resistance. A "docile" person might willingly follow instructions, whereas a "passive" person might simply not take initiative or oppose anything.