dutiful

du·ti·ful | \ ˈdü-ti-fəl

How to pronounce dutiful (audio)

also ˈdyü- \

Definition of dutiful

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

Other Words from dutiful Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about dutiful

Keep scrolling for more

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 Many of these employees see themselves more as dutiful sons or daughters than caregivers. — BostonGlobe.com, "Butler, 63, the New England market president for Newton-based Cigna, had to find time in the workday to call his dad in Bennington, Vt., and help him navigate the health care system. Butler also began driving 220 miles round trip to accompany him to medical procedures.," 18 Dec. 2019 Kate, seeing the Queen, gave her mother-in-law a dutiful curtsy. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "See Princess Charlotte Curtsy to Queen Elizabeth as They Leave Church on Christmas Day," 26 Dec. 2019 The Glaisher of the film, by contrast, is a shy bachelor who pays dutiful visits to his parents and struggles to persuade his scientific comrades to take him seriously. — Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, "The Fanciful Flamboyance of “The Aeronauts”," 29 Nov. 2019 The new movie, directed by Joachim Rønning from a script by Linda Woolverton, Micah Fitzerman-Blue and Noah Harpster, is yawningly dutiful in some respects and breathtakingly deranged in others. — Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times, "Review: Angelina Jolie and Michelle Pfeiffer lock horns in ‘Mistress of Evil,’ an enjoyably deranged ‘Maleficent’ sequel," 15 Oct. 2019 Warren plays both sides of the character with authority, shifting gears effortlessly between cringing before Ike’s fists and ruling the stage with a joy that goes well beyond the dutiful. — Kyle Smith, National Review, "On the Indestructibility of Tina Turner," 22 Nov. 2019 What should be soaring is instead lugubrious; what should be a ripping good yarn is instead dutiful and a little bit dull. — Ann Hornaday, Houston Chronicle, "Splendid visuals can't save dull Netflix drama 'The King'," 30 Oct. 2019 Suddenly, Keefe emerged, fulfilling her role as the senator's dutiful and loyal body woman, holding off gawkers until Warren finished her call. — Ed O'keefe, CBS News, "Is this the airport gate where the next president will be chosen?," 20 Sep. 2019 Centrists don’t just need to build a traditional party infrastructure, with MPs, local offices and dutiful but tame members. — The Economist, "The centre cannot hold - the failure of Change UK and the atrophying of political thought," 19 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dutiful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dutiful

Dictionary Entries near dutiful

Statistics for dutiful

Last Updated

17 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Dutiful.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 20 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for dutiful

dutiful

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of dutiful

: doing what is expected of you

See the full definition for dutiful in the English Language Learners Dictionary

dutiful

du·ti·ful | \ ˈdü-ti-fəl

, ˈdyü- \

Kids Definition of dutiful

: doing or showing the willingness to do what is expected or required a dutiful child

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

dauntless

not to be intimidated or subdued

Test Your Vocabulary

The Eponym Quiz

Which is the best synonym of bowdlerize?

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.