docilely
gb/dˈoʊsɪlli/ us/dˈoʊsɪlli/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
C1
property
1
in an obedient, submissive way
in a quiet way that obeys easily
Usage pattern:
[someone/animal] [verb] docilely
Common mistake:
Do not confuse with 'docently' (which relates to teaching).
Synonyms
obediently (Focuses on following orders or rules.)
|
submissively (Emphasizes yielding to another’s will or authority.)
|
meekly (Adds a sense of timidity or lack of confidence.)
Antonyms
defiantly (Shows open resistance to authority.)
|
rebelliously (Suggests active refusal to obey.)
|
stubbornly (Emphasizes refusing to change or yield.)
Collocations
sit docilely
|wait docilely
|follow docilely
|comply docilely
|accept docilely
|submit docilely
|stand docilely
|nod docilely
|do as [someone] says docilely
|agree docilely
Themes
behavior
|social_relations
|emotions
Examples
- The dog trotted docilely at her side, even in the busy street.
- He listened docilely while the manager explained the new rules.
- The children lined up docilely and followed the teacher into the hall.
Learner examples
- The cat sat docilely on my lap.
- He answered docilely and did what she asked.
adverb
formal
C2
property
2
in an easily controlled way
in a way that is easy to control
Usage pattern:
[something] [verb] docilely (to/under [influence/process])
Common mistake:
This use is less common and can sound formal; in everyday speech people often use 'easily' instead.
Synonyms
readily (Highlights willingness or ease of response.)
|
easily (Neutral and common; focuses on lack of difficulty.)
|
tractably (More technical; stresses being manageable or governable.)
Antonyms
resistantly (Opposes being shaped or changed.)
|
intractably (Emphasizes being hard to manage or control.)
Collocations
respond docilely
|yield docilely
|bend docilely
|conform docilely
|adapt docilely
|submit docilely to
|move docilely
|follow docilely
|change docilely
|behave docilely
Themes
work
|technology
|materials
Examples
- Under heat, the metal bent docilely into the desired shape.
- In tests, the model responded docilely to small changes in the input.
- The crowd moved docilely toward the exits after the announcement.
Learner examples
- The soft clay shaped docilely in her hands.
Grammar
Dictionary form
docilely
IPA
GB/dˈoʊsɪlli/
US/dˈoʊsɪlli/
Syllables & stress
do - cilely (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (do)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: docilely
- Plural: docilelies
Word family
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.