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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of menial
Time, 16 July 2025
Years before signing a rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks, netting him $13.8 million in the first year alone, Cooper Flagg had a more menial job.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Eric Asimov, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
Despite the national security risk articulated by politicians and federal law enforcement officials, some users see the risk as menial compared to other social media platforms.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for menial
Adjective
Most Americans worked menial, often dangerous, jobs that were so low paying that entire families had to work to survive.
—Time, 16 July 2025
Years before signing a rookie contract with the Dallas Mavericks, netting him $13.8 million in the first year alone, Cooper Flagg had a more menial job.
—Christian Clark, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Noun
An oceanographer served as winemaker, while Mr. Maltese was the group organizer and cellar rat, a wine-industry term for those performing menial but essential tasks like topping off barrels.
—Eric Asimov, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2023
Despite the national security risk articulated by politicians and federal law enforcement officials, some users see the risk as menial compared to other social media platforms.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for menial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for menial
Adjective
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Some Wordlers also play Competitive Wordle against friends, family, the Wordle Bot or even against me, your humble narrator.—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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The humble butter dish, once a purely practical necessity, is enjoying a significant revival, now being showcased on countertops and dining tables in vessels that are both stylish and functional.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Since Julia’s arrival at Castle Leathers, Davina Porter (Sara Vickers), the long-time servant of Lord Lovat and the mother of Brian, has suspected that Julia is pregnant.—
Max Gao,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Sep. 2025
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The first such center was established in Taylor, Michigan, with others eventually popping up in Florida, Texas and Missouri — all of them making money off the backs of servants who allegedly were forced to work for free.—
Tresa Baldas,
Freep.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
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His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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What threatened to be a meek, straight-sets exit for the 13th seed went full-metal crazy on match point down when Bonzi was interrupted from serving it out after a photographer absent-mindedly walked onto the court.—
Tim Ellis,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Social deficits can manifest as belligerent or meek.—
Tao Lin,
Harpers Magazine,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Menial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/menial. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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