Definitions

docile

[dos-uhl, doh-sahyl] / ˈdɒs əl, ˈdoʊ saɪl /

ADJECTIVE

compliant, submissive

Synonyms

STRONGEST

easygoing gentle laid-back meek obedient pliable pliant well-behaved

WEAK

accommodating acquiescent adaptable agreeable amenable biddable childlike complacent cool docious ductile easily influenced easy governable humble manageable mellow mild obliging orderly quiet resigned soft tame teachable tractable usable weak-kneed willing yielding

Antonyms

WEAK

determined headstrong inflexible intractable obstinate opinionated stubborn uncooperative unyielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At other times, Jeremy is sweet and docile, playing the big brother role with no difficulty.

From Salon • May 25, 2026

This time they touched down on the back of a thumping 3-0 one-day defeat in New Zealand and criticism over scheduling -- just a single three-day red-ball warm-up on a docile pitch.

From Barron's • Nov. 19, 2025

After their snake handler’s docile specimen has an onset mishap, the real thing slithers into view.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

“And boy, if my memory serves, those droids were there just to serve humanity; so docile, nothing frightening about them.”

From Salon • Sep. 8, 2025

Mary would sit and watch me by the hour together: then she would take lessons; and a docile, intelligent, assiduous pupil she made.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Vocabulary lists containing docile

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