What does meekly mean?
Meekly is the adverb form of meek and describes acting in a humble, compliant, or unresisting way. Someone who responds meekly accepts criticism, instructions, or unfavorable circumstances without showing open opposition. In ordinary use, the word can suggest quiet obedience, but it may also carry a slightly critical connotation when the behavior appears overly passive or submissive. For example, saying that someone “meekly accepted” an apology can describe a modest, peaceful response, while saying that a person “meekly bore the punishment” may imply that the person lacked the confidence to protest. The adverb is common in both British and American English and can be used with verbs such as accept, apologize, comply, follow, and submit. It is most useful when the focus is on a manner of behavior that is gentle, yielding, or without resistance.
adverbIn a meek, humble, or unresisting manner. It describes speech, conduct, or an action performed with quiet submission and lack of resistance.
- In a humble, compliant, or unresisting manner.
"She meekly accepted the criticism without argument."
"The child meekly apologized to his teacher."
"Rather than defend herself, she meekly accepted the proposed changes."
To act meekly is to yield without resistance, making the adverb more than a simple synonym for quietly or softly.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does meekly come from?
Meekly comes from the adjective meek, which developed from Middle English meke, an inherited Old English word related to the language of gentleness, softness, and tameness. The adjective acquired its modern sense of humble or unresisting during the medieval period. Its related noun, meekness, follows the same semantic history, expressing the quality of being humble, gentle, or submissive.
How meekly is actually used
Meekly can describe an action as compliant and unresisting, often with the connotation of excessive submissiveness. Its meaning is more active than the older, occasional sense of softly or gently.
Easily confused with meekly
Meekly means in a humble or unresisting manner, whereas weekly means once a week or relating to a week.