dutiful
adjective
du·ti·ful
ˈdü-ti-fəl 
also ˈdyü-
1
: filled with or motivated by a sense of duty
a dutiful child
2
: proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty
a dutiful effort
Examples of dutiful in a Sentence
the dutiful way he took care of his sick mother
the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Briefly the American media, on left and right, reflected on the courage, youthful promise and dutiful service of West Virginians Sarah Beckstrom, who died, and Andrew Wolfe, who is fighting for his life in hospital.
—
Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Ghetto Pat now goes by Bob, who is less a dutiful parent to 16-year old Willa (Chase Infiniti) and more a frustrating and paranoid obstacle in her small-town California life.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
When Mercury and Mars move into adventurous Sagittarius and your dutiful sixth house, the mood shifts toward productivity and purification.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Still, Ekwonu said Sunday after the contest that there were issues along the unit that even the most dutiful observers couldn’t see.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
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Newsweek Editors, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025
Ghetto Pat now goes by Bob, who is less a dutiful parent to 16-year old Willa (Chase Infiniti) and more a frustrating and paranoid obstacle in her small-town California life.
—Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 24 Nov. 2025
When Mercury and Mars move into adventurous Sagittarius and your dutiful sixth house, the mood shifts toward productivity and purification.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Still, Ekwonu said Sunday after the contest that there were issues along the unit that even the most dutiful observers couldn’t see.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 30 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
Cite this Entry
“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
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dutiful
adjective
du·ti·ful
ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl
: having or showing a sense of duty
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