1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in submissiveness
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
expectations of strict obedience to the guidelines were soon dashed
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obedience
What is more, the actors are in complete obedience to the last line of the play.
—
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
Even so, their training focuses heavily on discipline and obedience.
—Samuel C. Mahaney, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
Trump is enacting Project 2025 nearly to the letter, deploying executive orders, lawsuits, and rhetorical bombast in an effort to force judges, law firms, cultural institutions, university presidents, and press barons into postures of pitiable obedience.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
There are many reasons a person might hesitate to partake in French ring, a sport where dogs are judged on their agility, obedience and ability to provide protection.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2025
Even so, their training focuses heavily on discipline and obedience.
—Samuel C. Mahaney, The Conversation, 21 Mar. 2025
Trump is enacting Project 2025 nearly to the letter, deploying executive orders, lawsuits, and rhetorical bombast in an effort to force judges, law firms, cultural institutions, university presidents, and press barons into postures of pitiable obedience.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2025
There are many reasons a person might hesitate to partake in French ring, a sport where dogs are judged on their agility, obedience and ability to provide protection.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
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However, do not be fooled into thinking Barcelona simply pass teams into submission.—
Mark Carey,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Netflix declined to comment on that possibility but confirmed the aforementioned submission decision.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Brian by Jeremy Cooper Brian is a thirtysomething council worker in London who has always led a solitary life, one marked by an obsessive adherence to routine.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 May 2025
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The Morality-Legality Divide In Business Legality refers to adherence to laws and regulations.—
Venkat Rao,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
Noun
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But Morris’ fortunes had seemingly improved by 2019, when he was hired as CSUN’s director of equity and compliance with a $150,000 salary, according to school records reviewed by The Times.—
Matthew Ormseth,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
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While ostensibly targeting immigrants, what is being constructed is both the infrastructure and compliance that will facilitate a broader loss of rights for all Americans.—
Kica Matos,
Time,
2 May 2025
Noun
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If anything, acquiescence would create a further basis to claim that the university is not compliant, which risks even more encroachments on academic freedom.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
15 Apr. 2025
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Details of such bills are typically negotiated between the two parties, particularly because votes in the Senate require 60 votes to pass, effectively requiring acquiescence of the minority party.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
17 Mar. 2025
Noun
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As in the past, these invocations of national security offer the pretext for the government’s efforts to stifle dissent and to mandate political conformity.—
Rick Baldoz,
The Conversation,
30 Apr. 2025
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Today, polarization has stifled that openness, replacing critical inquiry with cautious conformity.—
Michael Ashley,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Even in the best of times, long-term observations can be very fragile.—
Eric Morgan,
Wired News,
10 May 2025
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His observations are what sets him apart from everybody else.—
Matt Minton,
Variety,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Police believe many surrenders are made by people who have no license to carry the guns or might have obtained them illegally.—
David Greising,
Chicago Tribune,
9 May 2025
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The Russian leader has proposed a limited three-day ceasefire this week to mark the anniversary of the Nazi surrender during World War II, but hasn’t signed on to a 30-day ceasefire to try and resolve Europe’s biggest conflict since then.—
David Catanese,
Miami Herald,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Government agencies are also typically given substantial deference by courts, which could assist Nevada and New Jersey.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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The Bipartisan Policy Center is out with new recommendations for Congress on how to deal with the demise of Chevron deference.—
Nick Sobczyk,
Axios,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 14 May. 2025.
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