The Opposite(Antonym) of “defiant”
The antonym of defiant is compliant, submissive, and obedient. The antonyms compliant, submissive, and obedient convey a willingness to follow rules, orders, or requests. It implies a lack of resistance, disobedience, or rebellion.
Definitions and Examples of compliant, submissive, obedient
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
Willing to comply with rules, orders, or requests; obedient.
Example
The company's policy requires all employees to be compliant with safety regulations.
submissive
Willing to submit to the authority or control of others; meek or passive.
Example
He was so submissive that he never spoke up for himself, even when he was being mistreated.
Willing to obey rules, orders, or instructions; compliant.
Example
The dog was very obedient and always followed its owner's commands.
Key Differences: compliant vs submissive vs obedient
- 1Compliant implies a willingness to follow rules or orders, but not necessarily a lack of resistance.
- 2Submissive implies a willingness to submit to authority or control, often without questioning or resisting.
- 3Obedient implies a willingness to follow rules or instructions, often without questioning or resisting.
Effective Usage of compliant, submissive, obedient
- 1Instructing: Use compliant, submissive, and obedient to describe people who are willing to follow rules or orders.
- 2Describing: Use these antonyms to describe characters in stories or real-life situations.
- 3Comparing: Use these antonyms to compare people's attitudes towards authority or control.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Compliant implies a willingness to follow rules or orders, submissive implies a willingness to submit to authority or control, and obedient implies a willingness to follow rules or instructions. Use these words to instruct, describe, or compare people's attitudes towards authority or control.