Definition of amenablenext
1
2
3
as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so even our nation's highest leaders must remain amenable to the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word amenable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of amenable are docile, obedient, and tractable. While all these words mean "submissive to the will of another," amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness.

amenable to new ideas

When is it sensible to use docile instead of amenable?

The words docile and amenable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance.

a docile child

When might obedient be a better fit than amenable?

While in some cases nearly identical to amenable, obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority.

obedient to the government

When could tractable be used to replace amenable?

While the synonyms tractable and amenable are close in meaning, tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing.

tractable animals

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 amenable Even those who advocated for conservative positions were compelled to make their case in language amenable to the liberal sensibility. Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026 Whether that would keep Ferraro a Shark, and whether Grier is amenable to such a contract, is unclear. Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026 The agreement purports to provide a solution amenable to both Kolter and the Gateway Estates Park Condominium Association. Larry Seward, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2026 His administration has been amenable to the trend, allowing the industry to thrive in a largely unregulated environment. Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amenable
Adjective
  • Analysts say a more powerful IRGC likely would mean a more confrontational Iran, less willing to compromise in talks with Washington and more inclined to continue military escalation across the region.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 21 Apr. 2026
  • Hopefully the next executive is more willing to take some heat.
    Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Just think of all those vacant Madonnas, structurally perfect compositions, and obedient daydreams of antiquity.
    Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Always obedient, Agnes happily welcomes Daisy despite Shu’s warnings.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • After just four weeks of high sodium intake, the small arteries responsible for regulating blood flow lost their ability to relax, according to a press release.
    Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The Oconee County Sheriff's Office said investigators, with help from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, identified a student from Dove Creek Middle School as the person responsible for the threats.
    Christopher Harris, CBS News, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Her clothes had been ready to be removed for about four hours.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 22 Apr. 2026
  • During the hearing, a lawyer for Jackson’s companies said that the estate would waive a three-year speedy trial rule, believing the case would not be ready for jurors until after December 2026.
    Amelia McDonell-Parry, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • DeCosta is always liable to move back in different rounds and accumulate more picks.
    Jeff Zrebiec, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2026
  • That, in turn, prompted Stephan’s office to release video of the incident and a document Thursday stating that prosecutors from her office had reviewed the police officers’ actions and determined the officers were not criminally liable.
    Alex Riggins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • However, Ngatikaura did not seem inclined to accept the apology.
    Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Growing these plants around the perimeter of your garden can make groundhogs less inclined to venture further into garden rows.
    Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • But on Saturday, with the college basketball world stressed over the transfer portal and UConn fans, in particular, waiting on similar big decisions from their own stars, Karaban was glad to know his next steps.
    Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 19 Apr. 2026
  • Jaia Peabody is glad to be a part of the mission.
    Courtney Cole, CBS News, 18 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Amenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amenable. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on amenable

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster