dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈdü-ti-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
 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
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

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
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.
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 Arkansas also owes Williams, Woodson and Adams roughly $2.7 million combined in buyouts until February 2027, though the trio also has dutiful mitigation clauses to find work and help offset that number. Arkansas Online, 30 Sep. 2025 Because, in fact, I am usually immediately swayed by whatever intellectual fashion is in the air, and a first draft of any essay is more often than not a cynical and dutiful rehashing of the argument du jour. Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025 At the gallery opening a few days later, her suspicion only deepens when Daniel and Cherry, who arrived late in the first place, leave without saying goodbye, which is uncharacteristic of their dutiful son. Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dutiful

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dutiful was in 1552

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Cite this Entry

“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

dutiful

adjective
du·​ti·​ful ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
: having or showing a sense of duty
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dutiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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