Synonyms of dutiful

dutiful

adjective

ˈdü-ti-fəl 

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

• respectful
• deferent
• regardful
• deferential
• reverent
• polite
• gracious
• worshipful
• civil
• reverential
• obsequious
• servile
• sycophantic
• courteous
• fawning
• venerating
• subservient
• hagiographic
• kowtowing
• toadying
• genuflecting
• groveling
• kid-glove
• kid-gloved

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disrespectful
• abusive
• offensive
• insulting
• undutiful
• contemptuous
• demeaning
• derogatory
• impudent
• scornful
• disparaging
• irreverent
• insolent
• depreciatory
• rude
• depreciative
• discourteous
• uncivil
• belittling

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of dutiful

Americans are accustomed to showing wide deference to senior military leaders, treating them as dutiful public servants rather than possible enablers of presidential lawlessness. — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

Mercifully, a dutiful crab and a dim-witted seagull can pick up the slack. — Lincee Ray, Entertainment Weekly, 25 June 2026

The two are still polar opposites; Sally is a dutiful mother who bakes beautiful cakes and avoids men while Gillian is all about finding literal Chads on Tinder. — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 24 June 2026

Furthermore, every wager is carefully tracked by these providers, meaning that the taxing authorities can be even more dutiful in ensuring that taxpayers are paying their fair share in income taxes on sports betting activities. — Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026