Docile vs. Submissive — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 30, 2023
Docile means easily taught or managed, often implying a gentle nature. Submissive indicates a tendency to yield to others' authority or will, often with a sense of inferiority.
Difference Between Docile and Submissive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Docile often describes a temperament that is easygoing and ready to accept instruction or guidance. It carries a connotation of being manageable and cooperative, without resistance. Submissive, on the other hand, goes a step further, implying not just cooperation but also a readiness to conform or yield to others, often involving a hierarchy or power dynamic.
In terms of usage, docile can have a positive connotation, suggesting a willingness to learn or be led without causing trouble. It’s often used in educational or training contexts. Submissive, however, might carry a negative connotation, suggesting a lack of agency or will, often used in contexts of power dynamics, such as in relationships or hierarchical structures.
Animals, especially pets, are frequently described as docile when they are calm and easy to handle. This doesn’t necessarily mean they are submissive; they might simply be well-trained or have a gentle disposition. Submissive, in animal behavior, implies a specific relationship to dominance, where the animal shows submission in the presence of a more dominant figure.
In human relationships, a docile person might be seen as amiable and compliant, potentially a desirable trait in team settings or collaborative efforts. However, being submissive can suggest an imbalance of power, where one person consistently gives in or defers to another, sometimes to the point of undermining their own needs or desires.
Comparison Chart
Connotation
Generally positive, cooperative
Often negative, implies yielding
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Context of Use
Education, training
Power dynamics, relationships
Implication
Willingness to learn or follow
Tendency to yield or defer
Agency
Implies some level of autonomy
Often suggests lack of agency
Relation to Power
Neutral, no power implication
Implies a lower position in hierarchy
Compare with Definitions
Docile
Yielding to supervision or direction.
His docile nature made him a favorite among his colleagues.
Submissive
Showing a tendency to yield or give in.
In every argument, she took a submissive stance.
Docile
Easily managed or handled.
The docile horse responded well to the trainer’s commands.
Submissive
Inclined to obey or serve.
The submissive servant followed every command diligently.
Docile
Ready to accept control or instruction.
The docile students quickly adapted to the new curriculum.
Submissive
Exhibiting a lower position in a hierarchy.
The submissive wolf avoided eye contact with the alpha.
Docile
Calm and easygoing temperament.
The docile cat was a perfect companion for the elderly lady.
Submissive
Ready to conform to authority or will of others.
The submissive employee never challenged his manager’s decisions.
Docile
Ready and willing to be taught; teachable.
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit.
Docile
Yielding to supervision, direction, or management; tractable.
Submissive
Obedient or passive.
Docile
Ready to accept instruction or direction; obedient; subservient.
Submissive
(BDSM) One who submits to a dominant partner in BDSM practices.
Docile
Yielding to control or supervision, direction, or management.
Such literature may well be anathema to those, who are too docile and petty for their own good.
Submissive
(rare) One who submits.
Docile
Teachable; easy to teach; docible.
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.
Docile
Disposed to be taught; tractable; easily managed; as, a docile child.
The elephant is at once docible and docile.
Submissive
Showing a readiness to submit; expressing submission; as, a submissive demeanor.
With a submissive step I hasted down.
Docile
Willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed;
The docile masses of an enslaved nation
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
Docile
Ready and willing to be taught;
Docile pupils eager for instruction
Teachable youngsters
Submissive
Willing to submit without resistance to authority; deferent
Docile
Easily handled or managed;
A gentle old horse, docile and obedient
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
Docile
Submissive to a degree, but with autonomy.
Despite being docile, she voiced her opinions when necessary.
Submissive
Lacking in self-assertion or independence.
His submissive nature prevented him from pursuing his dreams.
Common Curiosities
Can submissive have a positive connotation?
In some contexts, like consensual power dynamics, it can be positive, but it often has a negative connotation.
Does submissive imply a power imbalance?
Often, yes. It suggests a hierarchy where one is yielding to another's authority.
Can someone be submissive out of fear?
Yes, fear can be a factor in submissive behavior, though not always.
Do docile and submissive mean the same in relationships?
No, they have different nuances. Docile implies cooperation, while submissive implies yielding control.
Is submissive behavior common in hierarchical organizations?
It can be, especially in organizations with strict power structures.
Is being docile a negative trait?
Not necessarily. Being docile can be positive in contexts where cooperation is valued.
Are animals described as docile?
Yes, animals can be described as docile when they are calm and easy to manage.
Can a person be docile but not submissive?
Yes, someone can be docile (cooperative) without being submissive (yielding authority).
Can a leader be docile?
Yes, a leader can be docile in the sense of being receptive to ideas and feedback.
Can animals exhibit submissive behavior to humans?
Yes, animals can show submissive behavior towards humans, often in response to training or dominance.
Is docility a learned behavior?
It can be, especially in contexts like education or animal training.
Is being submissive always negative at the workplace?
Often it's seen negatively as it might suggest lack of assertiveness, but it depends on the context.
Can a person’s nature change from docile to assertive?
Yes, people’s behavior and tendencies can change over time or in different situations.
Can a docile attitude help in learning?
Yes, a docile attitude can be beneficial in learning environments due to openness to instruction.
Does culture influence perceptions of docility and submissiveness?
Absolutely, cultural norms and values can greatly influence how these traits are perceived.
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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.
