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
Long shielded by her husband from the nitty-gritty of a figuratively and often physically dirty industry, Cami must transform herself from dutiful wife to energy executive powerhouse.
—
Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
With charming Venus in your subtle 12th house nudging lucky Jupiter in your dutiful 6th house, your time will be best spent in quiet, practical actions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
The decisions and forces that affect society, that dictate the livelihoods and well-being of its citizens, are at the mercy of the market, and the now frighteningly transparent ways that the market serves and benefits its dutiful governmental benefactors.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
The dutiful wife in pearls, hair set just so, makeup calibrated in a polished and understated way so as not to distract or stand out.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
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Michael M. Rosen, The Washington Examiner, 9 Jan. 2026
With charming Venus in your subtle 12th house nudging lucky Jupiter in your dutiful 6th house, your time will be best spent in quiet, practical actions.
—Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 9 Jan. 2026
The decisions and forces that affect society, that dictate the livelihoods and well-being of its citizens, are at the mercy of the market, and the now frighteningly transparent ways that the market serves and benefits its dutiful governmental benefactors.
—Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
The dutiful wife in pearls, hair set just so, makeup calibrated in a polished and understated way so as not to distract or stand out.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
Cite this Entry
“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 16 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dutiful
adjective
du·ti·ful
ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl
: having or showing a sense of duty
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