cowering

adjective cowering

• subservient — serving or acting in a subordinate capacity; subordinate.
• unassertive — confidently aggressive or self-assured; positive: aggressive; dogmatic: He is too assertive as a salesman.
• fawning — a young deer, especially an unweaned one.
• recreant — cowardly or craven.
• at one's mercy — compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.