unassertive


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un·as·ser·tive

 (ŭn′ə-sûr′tĭv)
adj.
Not assertive; reserved.

un′as·ser′tive·ly adv.
un′as·ser′tive·ness n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

unassertive

(ˌʌnəˈsɜːtɪv)
adj
not assertive or aggressive; timid
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Adj.1.unassertive - inclined to timidity or lack of self-confidenceunassertive - inclined to timidity or lack of self-confidence; "a shy unassertive person"
nonaggressive, unaggressive - not aggressive; not given to fighting or assertiveness
timid - showing fear and lack of confidence
assertive, self-asserting, self-assertive - aggressively self-assured; "an energetic assertive boy who was always ready to argue"; "pointing directly at a listener is an assertive act"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

unassertive

adjective meek, timid, unassuming, retiring, backward, self-effacing, diffident, bashful, mousy, timorous completely out of character to her normal unassertive self
confident, aggressive, assertive, forceful, feisty (informal, chiefly U.S. & Canad.), pushy (informal), overbearing
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
References in classic literature ?
He would sit and talk to me in the old confidence, and with the old simplicity, and in the old unassertive protecting way, so that I would half believe that all my life since the days of the old kitchen was one of the mental troubles of the fever that was gone.
I might indeed have saved my breath, I knew it was one of the Fynes' rules of life, part of their solemnity and responsibility, one of those things that were part of their unassertive but ever present superiority, that their dog must not be allowed in.
Also, they were laughing and merry eyes, within them much of the naivete and wonder of the child; and yet, in an unassertive way.
Gentle and unassertive, big bream - or "slabs", as they are commonly known - are a fish that are very difficult to fool and, with them gracing the habitual waters for many years, it's easy to understand that these fish are simply never to be caught.
"Had they followed the cultural norms of their times, they ought to have been quiet and unassertive," Lewis writes of the female leaders.
During rush hour, the unassertive commuter silently chastises the inconsiderate commuter who cuts in line to cram into the next brimming jeepney.
The pervasiveness of patronage politics, a submissive House of Representative, an unassertive Senate, and a divided Supreme Court make the Office of the Vice President the only institution to officially oppose a conniving autocracy.
But on the other, they're labeled as passive and unassertive. In the political world at least, these perceived qualities can hinder a woman's professional growth amongst all gendered circles.
This style is self-sacrificial and highlights the other person's satisfaction by being unassertive and cooperative.
Having closely worked with the accused perpetrator, Sheikh believes there's no fuel to an unassertive, yet certainly famed fire.
Now, feminine is a tricky word these days, as it can be interpreted to mean weak, unassertive, and pretty but trivial.