What is the opposite of assertive?

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Contexts ▼▲ Opposite of behaving, spoken or done in a determined and forceful way Opposite of ambitious or aggressive in the pursuit of one's goals Opposite of having or showing a confident and self-assured personality (attributive) Opposite of feeling or exuding self-assurance Opposite of expressing something forcibly and clearly Opposite of boldly self-assured or confident Opposite of done, or behaving, in a brusquely imperious or authoritarian way Opposite of confident or self-assured, such as in one's own abilities Opposite of having power and influence over others Opposite of persistent in one's endeavors Opposite of assertive and self-assured Opposite of denotes the effectiveness or dominance of a particular action Opposite of very domineering in laying down one's dogmas or beliefs Opposite of marked by, or displaying, a boldness of character Opposite of favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause Opposite of having a strength of will or determination Opposite of characterized by conceited assertiveness and dogmatism Opposite of showing resolute determination and strength of character Opposite of having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed Opposite of to an absolute degree (of a person) Opposite of having emotional or mental peace Opposite of involving physical conflict, or having a propensity to use physical force Opposite of showing heroic courage Opposite of disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control … more ▼ ▲ Adjective ▲ Opposite of behaving, spoken or done in a determined and forceful way nonassertive nonemphatic unemphatic unambitious unassertive unenterprising apathetic ambitionless feeble unaggressive weak lazy unenthusiastic passive laid-back indifferent lethargic unaspiring half-hearted dispassionate casual nonchalant submissive lackadaisical pococurante unmotivated dispirited low-pressure enervated complacent easy puny content disinterested stolid uninterested unenthusiastic about perfunctory unresisting stoical uncurious blasé irresolute wavering unresolved vacillating fickle hesitating indecisive unassuming non-committal weak-minded weak-willed feeble-minded unconvincing unimpressive unpersuasive unimposing characterless mild unmemorable languid unexceptional inconspicuous quiet diffident forgettable unspectacular undistinguished discreet listless torpid otiose timid sluggish impotent idle languorous weary somnolent energyless dull exhausted faint frail spent powerless more ❯ Adjective ▲ Opposite of ambitious or aggressive in the pursuit of one's goals unassertive ambitionless low-pressure unaggressive unambitious unenterprising meek retiring unassuming diffident breezy timid self-effacing mellow mousy timorous lazy submissive backward bashful modest passive easygoing hesitant unconfident unforthcoming apathetic shy shrinking humble aw-shucks unaspiring insecure unsure nonassertive unobtrusive weak subservient indecisive secondary indirect inoffensive quiet reserved democratic discretionary unrestrained free unimposing subordinate unimportant unimpressive uncontrolling inferior ineffective more ❯ Adjective ▲ Opposite of having or showing a confident and self-assured personality reserved self-conscious sheepish unobtrusive indefinite quiet humble withdrawn unassuming embarrassed demure uneasy coy introverted reticent awkward unpretentious nervous uncomfortable unassertive anxious silent recessive edgy shamefaced tense strained mousy unpresuming apprehensive simple stiff blushing discreet unboastful temperate inhibited discomfited constrained unpretending uncertain abashed unnatural chaste stilted gauche proper reluctant seemly wary withdrawing lowly overmodest artificial nice mannered unassured chary declining doubting aw-shucks faint-hearted easily embarrassed like a fish out of water Adjective ▲ (attributive) Opposite of feeling or exuding self-assurance insecure unconfident shy unassured timid pessimistic fearful doubtful uncertain unsure troubled diffident frail vulnerable unstable weak wavering worried self-distrustful humble nervous quiet reserved scared self-critical self-doubting self-reproachful self-reproving tentative unassertive meek anxious retiring concerned unself-confident unnerved skittish apprehensive afraid inhibited introverted unforthcoming self-effacing self-conscious more ❯ “They were insecure young men, who were led astray by a charismatic self-proclaimed prophet.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of expressing something forcibly and clearly hesitant nonassertive nonemphatic tentative unemphatic equivocal tame uncertain undecided unsure weak ambiguous idle impotent inactive indefinite indistinct ineffective inexact insignificant lethargic obscure reserved unconfident understated unimportant unpronounced vague Adjective ▲ Opposite of boldly self-assured or confident submissive complaisant compliant malleable yielding acquiescent amenable accommodating tractable obedient passive unassertive biddable duteous dutiful docile meek pliant humble resigned subdued obsequious servile slavish spiritless abject nonresistant resistless subservient obeisant obeying obliging pliable cooperative placable non-resisting self-effacing democratic surrendering helpless weak fawning “The barbarians were subdued and became submissive to the enchantress' whims.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of done, or behaving, in a brusquely imperious or authoritarian way easy-going indulgent laid-back lax lenient mild moderate polite Adjective ▲ Opposite of confident or self-assured, such as in one's own abilities nervous bashful diffident hesitant retiring self-conscious self-effacing timid agitated confused dismayed distrustful doubted doubting excited feared fearful meek shy unconfident unself-confident upset worried Adjective ▲ Opposite of having power and influence over others weak characterless deficient deplorable diabolical dire disappointing dismal dissatisfactory dreadful effete craven emasculated enfeebled execrable fallible faltering feeble fickle flawed worthless gutless hopeless horibble imperfect abysmal appalling atrocious awful inadequate incompetent ineffectual inefficient inept insubstantial irresolute lacklusterUS lacklustreUK lame lamentable meagerUS meagreUK mediocre meek miserable paltry pathetic pitiful poor pusillanimous rubbish shabby shoddy spineless spiritless subnormal suboptimal subpar substandard terrible timorous unassertive undetermined unsatisfactory useless wretched humble impotent ineffective subservient inferior modest reserved “It was a disappointingly weak performance by a team supposedly in search of redemption.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of persistent in one's endeavors disinterested half-hearted indifferent insignificant lenient occasional relenting tolerant trivial unimportant weak Adjective ▲ Opposite of assertive and self-assured tentative diffident doubtful irresolute modest uncertain cautious iffy reluctant unsure disinclined faltering hesitant indecisive unassuming vacillating vacillatory wavering not confident unassured unconvinced open-minded receptive retiring timid unassertive unobtrusive “Mary was rather tentative at committing to her weekly rehabilitation.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of denotes the effectiveness or dominance of a particular action ineffective ineffectual lethargic incapable inefficacious lacklusterUS lacklustreUK useless apathetic dilatory dormant draggy dull exhausted indifferent indolent inert laggard languorous lazy listless passive somnolent spiritless unmoving without energy inactive idle unable unexciting boring nonemphatic unemphatic nonassertive lifeless half-hearted uninspiring flat insipid unstimulating uninteresting dreary plain vapid uneventful mundane bland prosaic tedious undistinguished pedestrian torpid debilitated lackadaisical fatigued sluggish moony slow drowsy languid narcotic slothful sleepy weary tired enervated laid-back undynamic couldn't-care-less unenergetic impassive unproductive static fruitless impotent weak more ❯ “Leaders who do not look after the interests of their followers are not only unethical but ineffective.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of very domineering in laying down one's dogmas or beliefs latitudinarian undoctrinaire undogmatic low-key open-minded tentative ambiguous amenable doubtful doubting dubious equivocal flexible fluctuating impartial indecisive indefinite manageable obedient questioning scepticalUK skepticalUS submissive uncertain vacillating vague willing yielding not positive Adjective ▲ Opposite of marked by, or displaying, a boldness of character meek mild humble modest gentle shy timid unassuming forbearing mousey mousy unpretentious demure docile lowly peaceful peaceable quiet resigned submissive compliant diffident reverent yielding acquiescent deferential down-to-earth self-effacing passive serene subdued unobtrusive bashful coy reserved spiritless discreet reticent unostentatious unpresuming introverted recessive shamefaced sheepish patient retiring unassertive unassured withdrawn long-suffering self-deprecating polite thoughtful careful cautious uncertain respectful prudent fearful afraid muted “He may be old and meek, but his discipline remained resolute.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause pacific peaceful nonaggressive nonbelligerent peaceable unbelligerent uncombative uncontentious apathetic concessive pacifist restrained compliant peaceloving submissive tolerant Adjective ▲ Opposite of having a strength of will or determination shaky quivering trembly weak insecure nervous trembling faltering tremorous wavering quivery unsteady infirm shuddery flimsy unstable atremble shuddering wobbly shaking tremulous unsure quaking tottering wabbling quavery shivering wabbly aquiver unsettled vacillating jittery tottery wobbling “His nervousness was apparent when he spoke with a shaky voice.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of characterized by conceited assertiveness and dogmatism latitudinarian open-minded undoctrinaire undogmatic broad-minded compliant compromising dispassionate flexible receptive tolerant unbiased unbigoted unprejudiced Adjective ▲ Opposite of showing resolute determination and strength of character irresolute indecisive vacillating wavering faltering fickle hesitant undecided undetermined unsettled doubting shaky unstable doubtful uncertain fearful inconsistent untrustworthy infirm torn divided hesitating unresolved dithering unreliable inconstant unsteady afraid nervous uncommitted broken unsure weak in doubt weak-kneed weak-minded full of doubt in a dilemma in two minds unconfident tentative changeable inconclusive indeterminate conflicted unfixed indefinite open of two minds “After previous outrages, we had been irresolute and appeared unwilling to defend ourselves.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of having or showing a strong desire and determination to succeed lazy ambitionless unambitious unmotivated apathetic indolent unaspiring otiose shiftless slack disinterested workshy useless improvident unoccupied sluggish faineant lacklusterUS lacklustreUK fainéant indifferent slothful unenterprising idle unproductive bone idle bone-idle good-for-nothing work-shy “He maintained that last-borns are often spoiled and lazy because they don't have younger siblings challenging them.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of to an absolute degree partial half part incomplete half- “Cassidy was interrogated for an hour before making a partial confession to felony murder.” Adjective ▲ (of a person) Opposite of having emotional or mental peace unbalanced agitated anxious flustered discomposed disorganisedUK disorganizedUS unhinged irrational neurotic troubled unsound bothered distressed disturbed jittery jumpy nervous perturbed restless skittish tense uneasy unglued unsettled unstrung upset uptight imbalanced unstable worried high-strung “But that is as far as I can go in praising this decrepit and unbalanced person.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of involving physical conflict, or having a propensity to use physical force peaceful gentle nonviolent peaceable calm composed quiet tame controlled mild nonassertive nonemphatic rational relaxed sane unemphatic unruffled placid serene well-behaved impotent incapable ineffective kind nice passive pleasant “I'm still a rebel, but express my anger in peaceful ways.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of showing heroic courage cowardly gutless spineless weak craven fainthearted pusillanimous coward dastardly timorous cowering sissy diffident feeble unheroic boneless fearful weakhearted wimpy abject chickenhearted frightened timid poltroon recreant sissified spiritless caitiff dismayed meek panicky irresolute nervous soft worthless chicken jittery scared ungallant nerveless uncourageous wimpish chicken-livered faint-hearted lacking courage lily-livered milk-livered no guts poor-spirited weak-kneed yellow mousy shrinking afraid “It was a horrific and extremely cowardly attack, which was totally unprovoked.” Adjective ▲ Opposite of disorderly and disruptive and not amenable to discipline or control obedient tractable amenable biddable docile governable manageable orderly compliant conformable controllable law-abiding ruly submissive disciplined agreeable calm cautious happy mild moderate passive patient yielding Find more words! 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Sentences with the word assertive Words that rhyme with assertive What is the adverb for assertive? What is the adjective for assertive? What is the noun for assertive? Translations for assertive Use our Antonym Finder Nearby Words assertively assertiveness assertivenesses assertive person assertorical asserts assertions assertion asserting asserted assertable assert 9-letter Words Starting With a as ass asse asser assert asserti assertiv