subservience

noun

sub·​ser·​vi·​ence səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 

1

: a subservient or subordinate place or function

2

: obsequious servility

Examples of subservience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The women had been close friends while studying for their doctorates some years earlier, but Catherine has since grown resentful of Leonora’s career, and dismissive of women whose scholarly ambitions come before marital subservience. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

These young ladies are primed for a life of modesty and subservience to their husbands and the future fathers of their children. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 June 2026

In recent days, another leak—of a call between Orbán and Vladimir Putin—has been held up as evidence of the former’s subservience. —Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026

While counting the president’s fallacies has become routine, the ideological subservience of his senior-most cabinet members and advisors this term has given the public reason to second-guess statements and data issued by them or their offices. —Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subservience

noun

sub·​ser·​vi·​ence səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 

1

: a subordinate place or function

2

: obedience befitting one of a menial position