DOCILITY Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

docility

noun

Definition of docility

as in obedience

a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others dogs bred for docility instead of aggressiveness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of docility Carlson-Wee introduces himself to Wood with the sweet docility of a young boy meeting his hero. — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026 The same goes for docility, often characterized as a near neighbor of meekness. — Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for docility

Noun

Remaining steadfast in his dharma (religious and moral principles), Rama rejects all of Lakshmana’s suggestions for resistance and insists that obedience to his father and preservation of righteousness must take precedence over royal position.

— Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
John Cena, one of the most famous WWE stars of his generation, displayed similar obedience in 2021.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of obedience

Noun

The greatest near-term threat to world order, then, is what might be called the Taiwanese chip crisis, in which Beijing mobilizes to take control of the island and the United States must choose between armed resistance and acquiescence.

— NIALL FERGUSON, Foreign Affairs, 20 Oct. 2026
There are similar issues in competitive races in Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, where Republican acquiescence could hurt the party on Election Day as their constituents face factory layoffs, farm foreclosures and higher prices.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026

Definition of acquiescence

Browse Nearby Words

docile

docility

dock

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Docility.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/docility. Accessed 3 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of docility

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

candidate

Popular in Grammar & Usage

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes