UNASSERTIVE Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

unassertive

adjective

Definition of unassertive

as in meek

not talking or behaving in a loud and confident way a modest, unassertive person an unassertive manner

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unassertive This film, so seemingly unassertive, apparently rambling and plotless, has a devastating impact and aftershock. — Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2026 Avoiding is unassertive and uncooperative, where an individual tends to give up on their own needs and acquiesce to the desires of others by disengaging from the situation altogether. — Ellen Choi, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 Shy and unassertive, she’s often been overlooked by others and kept to herself. — Yasmine Alsayyad, The New Yorker, 9 Jan. 2023 After a time, Patterson’s play-it-down-the-middle approach feels less like the remembrances of a Renaissance man and more like evasive, unassertive hedging. — Mark Athitakis, Washington Post, 6 June 2022 My own thoughts have been along the line of weak, unassertive, super humble and timid. — Glenna Christensen, idahostatesman, 14 June 2018 Meryl Streep stars as Post owner Katherine Graham, an unassertive socialite who normally follows the journalistic lead of her editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks, playing it too cute). — John Powers, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2017

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unassertive

Adjective

Howard recruited Winkler to star in his 1982 comedy Night Shift, as a meek morgue worker whose life is radicalized by a new hire played by Michael Keaton.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Aug. 2026
Closer to home, Liverpool have shown the pitfalls of an expensive facelift, splurging record sums on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak last summer only to free-fall from champions to a meek fifth-place finish.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of meek

Adjective

That makes even modest efficiency gains financially significant across long voyages.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Palmeiras winger Allan, 22, quickly emerged as one such solution, though his modest goal and assist tally alarmed supporters when the wisdom of City’s market strategy was being questioned.

— Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of modest

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unassembled

unassertive

unassisted

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“Unassertive.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unassertive. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unassertive

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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