Synonyms of menial

menial 1 of 2

adjective

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness

every command was obeyed in the menial manner of someone who seemed grateful just to be in the presence of a celebrity

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humble
• servile
• meek
• abject
• slavish
• base
• lowly
• modest
• sheepish
• unassuming
• hangdog
• retiring
• lamblike
• sycophantic
• fawning
• unpretentious
• demure
• sycophant
• toadyish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• arrogant
• supercilious
• haughty
• uppity
• imperious
• lordly
• high-handed

menial

2 of 2

noun

ˈmē-nē-əl 

as in servant

a person hired to perform household or personal services

immigrants to that country faced fierce prejudice and could expect to find work only as menials

Synonyms & Similar Words

• servant
• housekeeper
• maid
• steward
• domestic
• lackey
• daily
• butler
• woman
• retainer
• flunky
• groom
• assistant
• man
• houseboy
• valet
• servitor
• manservant
• footman
• housemaid
• maidservant
• majordomo
• attendant
• handmaiden
• factotum
• drudge
• houseman
• companion
• wench
• dogsbody
• gofer
• follower
• lady-in-waiting

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• master
• mistress
• foreman
• chief
• boss
• leader
• head
• captain
• taskmaster
• headman
• helmsman
• kingpin

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of menial

Adjective

Another major concern for Verbinski is how artificial intelligence is erasing entry-level positions, given that the new technology has primarily taken over menial tasks formerly attributed to interns, apprentices and assistants. — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 June 2026

The novel’s protagonist, Ro, is an isolated Korean-American woman working a menial job at an aquarium. — Tessa Yang, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Noun

Artificial intelligence has been heralded for its ability to optimize tasks, from the menial to the more complex. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024

Outside the windowless offices, the anthropocene was over—somehow these hapless menials had missed its bang or its whimper—and the pre-human food chain was busy reasserting itself. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2023