meekly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meekly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone acting in a submissive, gentle, or humble manner, often in response to authority or conflict. Example: "She meekly accepted the criticism without arguing back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Senior figures are reluctant to challenge Erdoğan directly but have meekly voiced their reservations.

The Guardian

That went when they surrendered so madly and meekly on the final morning of the second Test in Adelaide.

The Guardian - Sport

But when it came to the crunch – whether he was ultimately willing to halt the deal – he muttered meekly that it was "tricky".

The Guardian - Opinion

Suitably chastened, Williams posed, meekly as a cat, and Jane was very amused to hear that he did an impeccable impersonation of her once she had left.

The Guardian - Arts

Now it appears that there is already a Ukip candidate for the Essex seaside town who has no intention of meekly moving aside, which makes a nonsense of Ukip as the activists' party.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even if he is right, it suggests that the USDP grassroots is not going to roll over meekly and accept a Suu Kyi presidency.There will be a fight, in other words, and the president, Thein Sein, may be more sensitive to USDP concerns than people had thought.

The Economist

At least the outside world should know that Tibet had not meekly surrendered.

The Economist

His zealots would never, they say, line up meekly at polling booths.

The Economist

Now, by choosing Mr Najib, Mr Badawi looks as though he is meekly following the doctor's orders.To his credit, he has announced a commission to review the workings of the police force, widely viewed as corrupt and incompetent.

The Economist

America's previously hostile carmakers greeted the order meekly, doubtless mindful of their new-found dependence on the government's generosity.Mr Obama has said that he would like Congress to pass a comprehensive law on climate change.

The Economist

On the contrary, after responding only meekly to the numerous perceived affronts on Japan's territorial sovereignty in recent months, the last thing government wants is anything that could be seen as another diplomatic climb-down.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meekly", ensure the context clearly indicates a deliberate choice of submissiveness or humility, rather than simple politeness or agreement. "Meekly" often implies an imbalance of power or a situation where resistance might be expected but is withheld.

Common error

Avoid using "meekly" when describing actions that are simply polite or agreeable. "Meekly" implies a degree of forced submission or an intentional suppression of one's own desires or opinions. If the action is genuinely voluntary and without underlying pressure, choose a more neutral adverb like "politely" or "agreeably".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "meekly" modifies verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It suggests a submissive, gentle, or humble approach. As shown in Ludwig, it is often used to describe actions done without resistance or challenge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "meekly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb, primarily found in news and media contexts. It describes actions performed in a submissive, gentle, or humble manner. While "meekly" is often used correctly, it's important to ensure it accurately reflects the actor's intentional submission, rather than just politeness or agreement. Ludwig AI confirms the proper usage of "meekly" across a wide range of examples, offering valuable insight into its nuanced application and semantic distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submissively

Emphasizes compliance and obedience to authority.

humbly

Focuses on a modest and unassuming attitude.

passively

Highlights a lack of resistance or active involvement.

docilely

Implies being easily led or managed.

obediently

Stresses adherence to rules or commands.

deferentially

Indicates respect and yielding to another's judgment.

mildly

Suggests a gentle and restrained manner.

quietly

Focuses on a lack of noise or disturbance.

unassertively

Highlights a lack of confidence or forcefulness.

without resistance

Directly states the absence of opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "meekly" in a sentence?

You can use "meekly" to describe someone acting in a submissive, gentle, or humble manner. For example: "She "meekly" accepted the criticism without arguing back."

What can I say instead of "meekly"?

You can use alternatives like "submissively", "humbly", or "passively" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "meekly agreed" or "politely agreed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they convey different meanings. "Meekly agreed" implies a reluctant or forced agreement, while "politely agreed" suggests a courteous agreement without any implication of reluctance.

What's the difference between "meekly" and "shyly"?

"Meekly" describes a submissive or humble demeanor, often in response to authority or conflict, whereas "shyly" describes a timid or bashful demeanor, often due to a lack of confidence.