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as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so even our nation's highest leaders must remain amenable to the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word amenable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of amenable are docile, obedient, and tractable. While all these words mean "submissive to the will of another," amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness.

amenable to new ideas

When is it sensible to use docile instead of amenable?

The words docile and amenable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance.

a docile child

When might obedient be a better fit than amenable?

While in some cases nearly identical to amenable, obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority.

obedient to the government

When could tractable be used to replace amenable?

While the synonyms tractable and amenable are close in meaning, tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing.

tractable animals

Example Sentences

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 amenable According to team sources, the Lakers will be amenable to whatever contract structure Dončić desires. Jovan Buha, New York Times, 2 May 2025 California, the rare state with conditions amenable to olive-growing, produces less than 2 percent of the olive oil that Americans consume. Rachel Sugar, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025 On the call, Vance encouraged Modi to consider options available for deescalation, the official said, and offered what the person described as a potential off-ramp, which the U.S. understood the Pakistanis to be amenable to. Josh Meyer, USA Today, 10 May 2025 But that does not mean Russia is more amenable to a deal. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amenable
Adjective
  • People are willing to go in, not just for the sake of being re-elected or for making money or some kind of fame, but for the people.
    Audrey Conklin, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2025
  • Denverites willing to brave the heat and visit the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance this summer may be able to sneak a peek at a new baby sloth snoozing and snuggling in the treetops of the Tropical Discovery exhibit.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
Adjective
  • The scale asks whether a respondent tends to prefer children who are obedient, well behaved and well mannered or children who are independent, creative and considerate.
    Adam Eichen, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
  • Those who tend to favor obedient children are scored as having more authoritarian views.
    Adam Eichen, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
Adjective
  • Tariffs historically have resulted in one-time price increases and only occasionally have been responsible for longer-term inflation pressures.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 24 June 2025
  • It should be noted that FedEx was ultimately responsible for the successful distribution of roughly half of all COVID-19 vaccines in the United States.
    Marc Benioff, Time, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Hayden Hackney Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney looks ready to make the jump from the Championship to the Premier League.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 30 June 2025
  • The lawn outside has lettuce, spinach, beets, radishes, broccoli, summer squash sprouting, all ready to be planted in a garden.
    Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • The lender can seize only the real property and no other assets and the estate isn’t liable for any shortfall.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • No-fault car insurance means a driver’s insurance company pays for their own medical expenses and certain other losses after an accident, regardless of who is held liable.
    Liz Knueven, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Adjective
  • If possible, do this on an inclined surface such as a driveway so the water will drain away from the rug.
    Karen Grossman, Southern Living, 24 June 2025
  • The Marlins could hold on to him until the winter, when teams like Baltimore would be more inclined to acquire him and the final two years of his contract.
    Zach Pressnell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • Sharif was glad when Adjoua’s new agent put her on the hook with the New York Times behind her back.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 June 2025
  • Just be glad the season didn't feature Cybertrucks.
    EW.com, EW.com, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amenable. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

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