as in respectful
marked by or showing proper regard for another's higher status
the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner
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 dutiful
The decisions and forces that affect society, that dictate the livelihoods and well-being of its citizens, are at the mercy of the market, and the now frighteningly transparent ways that the market serves and benefits its dutiful governmental benefactors.
—
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
The dutiful wife in pearls, hair set just so, makeup calibrated in a polished and understated way so as not to distract or stand out.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Today, all of these books are considered classics, which means that most of us encounter them only in the classroom, as objects of dutiful study.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Damon takes center stage as Odysseus, the brave and cunning king of Ithaca who gets waylaid for 10 years trying to return home to his loyal wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and dutiful son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), after playing a key role in the Trojan War.
—Oliver Gettell, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2026
The dutiful wife in pearls, hair set just so, makeup calibrated in a polished and understated way so as not to distract or stand out.
—Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Today, all of these books are considered classics, which means that most of us encounter them only in the classroom, as objects of dutiful study.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Damon takes center stage as Odysseus, the brave and cunning king of Ithaca who gets waylaid for 10 years trying to return home to his loyal wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and dutiful son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), after playing a key role in the Trojan War.
—Oliver Gettell, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for dutiful
Adjective
-
This means being honest, respectful and committed to your tasks, showing resilience in difficult situations, and maintaining a positive attitude.—
Nancy Pulciano,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Parents can help by modeling respectful language and talking about how words affect others.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
And many advocates are promoting a vision of public health that’s less dependent on mandates and appeals to authority, and more deferent to individuals’ beliefs.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The Ptolemaic model depicted planets moving around Earth in a big circle, known as a deferent, then going around a smaller circle while retrograding, called an epicycle.—
Carlie Procell,
USA TODAY,
25 Nov. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/dutiful. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
