subservience

noun

sub·​ser·​vi·​ence səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 

1

: a subservient or subordinate place or function

2

: obsequious servility

Examples of subservience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

People who climb upward by sacrificing their integrity to slavish subservience almost always fall on their faces eventually. —Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Aug. 2025

And the people certainly don’t owe the president quiet subservience. —Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 25 July 2025

California Federal agents denied entry to Dodger Stadium parking lot: Here is what really happened June 20, 2025 The Dodgers learned what many Trump voters already learned, which is that Agent Orange doesn’t always reward subservience. —Dylan Hernández, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025

Russia has not budged one inch from its demand for total capitulation and subservience from Kyiv, and has only increased its missile barrage on Ukrainian cities. —Trudy Rubin, Twin Cities, 8 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

subservience

noun

sub·​ser·​vi·​ence səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 

1

: a subordinate place or function

2

: obedience befitting one of a menial position