MENIAL Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

menial 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of menial

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness every command was obeyed in the menial manner of someone who seemed grateful just to be in the presence of a celebrity

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menial

2 of 2

noun

ˈmē-nē-əl

as in servant

a person hired to perform household or personal services immigrants to that country faced fierce prejudice and could expect to find work only as menials

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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 menial

Adjective

She’s supposed to help only with menial tasks, but often ends up helping solve mysteries that leave the police dumbfounded. — Skyler Trepel, Entertainment Weekly, 20 June 2026 The novel’s protagonist, Ro, is an isolated Korean-American woman working a menial job at an aquarium. — Tessa Yang, PEOPLE, 2 June 2026

Noun

Artificial intelligence has been heralded for its ability to optimize tasks, from the menial to the more complex. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 5 Apr. 2024 Outside the windowless offices, the anthropocene was over—somehow these hapless menials had missed its bang or its whimper—and the pre-human food chain was busy reasserting itself. — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 5 Nov. 2023 See All Example Sentences for menial

Recent Examples of Synonyms for menial

Adjective

While the wider world has in recent decades fallen for the archipelago’s humble street food, there’s a rising number of contemporary chefs who are elevating the national cuisine on the global stage.

— Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2026
In those interviews, the brothers are charmingly self-effacing and humble, a far cry from the braggadocious, aggressive posturing that defined their early celebrity.

— Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of humble

Adjective

Unfortunately, Trump takes servile flattery as his due.

— Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Of course, all of this convenient acquiescence will sound familiar in the United States, where our own Congress and Department of Justice have been nothing if not servile to a brazenly corrupt executive.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

Definition of servile

Adjective

Moore plays Mona Friedman, a meek housewife who hasn’t sung in front of anyone since church choir and is unexpectedly cast in a community-theater production — then transforms into a zealous method actor willing to wage war over a marginal role.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Sep. 2026
Though sympathetic to the onslaught of treatments Zai is facing, the meek, protective Minoti warns her of the repercussions of rebellion.

— Miriam Balanescu, IndieWire, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of meek

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menials

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“Menial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menial. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of menial

adjective

noun

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