obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s 

ə-

1

a

: an act or instance of obeying

b

: the quality or state of being obedient

taught the children 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

Synonyms of obedience

• submission
• compliance
• conformity
• submissiveness
• surrender
• subordination

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

The Dynamics of Leadership and Followership The military rigorously develops individuals in both leading and supporting roles, not through blind obedience, but through skillful contribution. —Heather V. MacArthur, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

The Trumpian belief that the administration has the right to compel obedience has no bounds. —U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026

The 57-page superseding indictment read like a television drama, weaving a tale of influence, obedience, intimidation, an internal power struggle, drugs, guns and murder spanning multiple states and including local, regional and national chapters of the Sin City Deciples. —Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026

Marin Humane offers an array of classes for you and your canine buddy, from basic obedience to scenting to agility. —Lisa Bloch, Mercury News, 30 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin oboedientia "act of obeying" (Medieval Latin also, "sphere of jurisdiction"), noun derivative of oboedient-, oboedient obedient

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing obedience

• in obedience

Rhymes for obedience

• expedience
• disobedience

Kids Definition

obedience

noun

obe·​di·​ence ō-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s 

ə-

1

: an act or instance of obeying

2

: the quality or state of being obedient