1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in submissiveness
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
expectations of strict obedience to the guidelines were soon dashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 obedience
The Trumpian belief that the administration has the right to compel obedience has no bounds.
—
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
The 57-page superseding indictment read like a television drama, weaving a tale of influence, obedience, intimidation, an internal power struggle, drugs, guns and murder spanning multiple states and including local, regional and national chapters of the Sin City Deciples.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Parents who overemphasize obedience, which can require the suppression of big feelings, run the risk of raising people-pleasers who can’t advocate for themselves and are more likely to grow into anxious, unhappy adults, Raouda says.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
The obedience classic will feature 257 dog and handler teams, including 70 breeds from over 37 states.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
The 57-page superseding indictment read like a television drama, weaving a tale of influence, obedience, intimidation, an internal power struggle, drugs, guns and murder spanning multiple states and including local, regional and national chapters of the Sin City Deciples.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Parents who overemphasize obedience, which can require the suppression of big feelings, run the risk of raising people-pleasers who can’t advocate for themselves and are more likely to grow into anxious, unhappy adults, Raouda says.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
The obedience classic will feature 257 dog and handler teams, including 70 breeds from over 37 states.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
-
The submissions were also sent to prosecutor Daniel Porceddu, who didn't check their accuracy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Gary Trust,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
-
In Killers of the Flower Moon, his Ernest Burkhart starts off as a mopey, weak-minded World War One veteran, eager to do anything for his godfather uncle (Robert De Niro), but there’s still a certain likability to his dim-bulb submissiveness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The investigation will examine the vehicle's behavior in school zones and its adherence to speed limits.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And at the federal level, Congress is pressing pause on a new hemp definition that would have reshaped THC compliance nationwide.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Deutsche Bank has been trying to overcome a long history of compliance failures and regulatory scandals.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
And acquiescence can be contagious.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
20 Jan. 2026
-
Even if clemency led the White House to dial back the ongoing efforts to punish Colorado, acquiescence today only invites future harassment.—
Max Potter,
Denver Post,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With tax conformity factored in, lawmakers must make additional cuts in other areas, Tanner said.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
-
This wicker man becomes a devoted partner, sparking jealousy and malice in her narrow-minded neighbors, exploring themes of love, cruelty, and societal conformity.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
That framing—control versus surrender—runs through Kapur’s entire philosophy.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
In September, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square hosted China’s biggest ever military parade to mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This allows scientists to follow changes in radio emission from many stars simultaneously, second by second, within a single observation.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Renee Good’s killing raised the profile of the resistance, as well as questions about the lines between observation and obstruction.—
Eric Roper,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
