obedience

noun

obe·di·ence | \ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s,

ə-\

Definition of obedience

1a : an act or instance of obeying

b : the quality or state of being obedient Children should learn obedience and respect for authority.

2 : a sphere of jurisdiction landowners within the king's obedience especially : an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion under the obedience of the Bishop of Rome

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Examples of obedience in a Sentence

the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command

Recent Examples on the Web

As a result, areas exposed to the church for longer developed more impersonal norms, like individualism and impartial treatment, as opposed to obedience and nepotism. — Kevin Lewis, BostonGlobe.com, "Looking for negative signals," 6 July 2018 Too many dark moments in history prove that unqualified obedience has no place in a democracy or among Christians. — Jonathan L. Walton, Time, "Why Authoritarians Love to Quote This Bible Passage," 22 June 2018 That require analysis and strategic planning, as opposed to obedience to a norm. — Vanessa Friedman, New York Times, "Miss America Gets to Dress Herself," 9 June 2018 Xi has already used his power to implement a far-reaching crackdown on corruption, even if it has also been used to instill obedience and eliminate rivals. — The Washington Post, NOLA.com, "With a dash of Putin and an echo of Mao, China's Xi sets himself up to rule for life," 27 Feb. 2018 When Pat Brown began his governorship, Jerry was twenty and a Jesuit novice, honoring vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. — Rachel Aviv, The New Yorker, "Inside California’s War on Trump," 19 Mar. 2018 Her approach had previously consisted mainly of ruling things out: no single-market membership, no free movement of labour, no obedience to foreign judges. — The Economist, "A new Brexit plan creates fresh depths of chaos," 12 July 2018 Religious sisters in Sister Jean's community, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, take vows of celibacy, poverty and obedience to God. — Sarah Pulliam Bailey, chicagotribune.com, "Cute mascot? Beloved grandmother? Sister Jean reveals deeper stereotypes about nuns.," 31 Mar. 2018 Religious sisters in Sister Jean’s community, the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, take vows of celibacy, poverty and obedience to God. — Sarah Pulliam Bailey, Washington Post, "Cute mascot? Beloved grandmother? Sister Jean reveals deeper stereotypes about nuns.," 31 Mar. 2018

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