1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
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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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obedience
The group pledged full obedience to the new leader.
—
Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Once Waukegan Park District dog obedience teacher Karin Magnuson instructs her charges on how to make their pets sit, get down, heel and stay, some return so their dogs can participate in the Ruffin Relays — a form of advanced training.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of Iran’s most powerful and feared organizations, pledged full obedience to the new leader in a statement.
—Josh Wingrove, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
The trailer depicts the duo navigating Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is instilled into the young female students.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Arkansas Online, 10 Mar. 2026
Once Waukegan Park District dog obedience teacher Karin Magnuson instructs her charges on how to make their pets sit, get down, heel and stay, some return so their dogs can participate in the Ruffin Relays — a form of advanced training.
—Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 9 Mar. 2026
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, one of Iran’s most powerful and feared organizations, pledged full obedience to the new leader in a statement.
—Josh Wingrove, Bloomberg, 8 Mar. 2026
The trailer depicts the duo navigating Aunt Lydia’s elite preparatory school for future wives, where obedience is instilled into the young female students.
—Arushi Jacob, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
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Meantime, what Michigan has done lately - cruised on a murderous March march that humbled Arizona into submission into the national semifinal - does matter.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
6 Apr. 2026
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Our search for the area’s best started with more than 500 submissions, representing nearly 60 different local businesses.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 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
-
One contributing factor is inconsistent adherence to preventive behaviors.—
Care Resource,
Miami Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Because medical foods do not require extensive clinical trials or FDA approval, manufacturers could innovate more rapidly, changing flavors, consistency, and protein sources to improve taste and patient adherence.—
Heather Gatcombe,
STAT,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
SelfExclude is operated by IC360, a prominent sports betting integrity and compliance company that has been partnered with Kalshi since last year to help with market surveillance.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Penalties include fines of up to 6% of a company’s global turnover, daily fines until compliance or restrictions on operations.—
Menelaos Hadjicostis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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But as the sexist and racist nature of the MAGA machine has gained mainstream acquiescence if not acceptance, the need to keep up the appearance of diversity is less and less.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Moss’ dour expression, over-relied upon for silent exposition throughout six seasons, conveys terror in the here and now, as well as for a future where fear is replaced by acquiescence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
However, some Idaho taxpayers can expect longer waits on refunds due to state tax conformity laws the Idaho Statesman previously reported.—
Hali Smith
April 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Apr. 2026
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Whenever the state substitutes ideological conformity for genuine education, the constitutional rights of parents and their children are put at risk.—
Courtney Corbello,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The film shifts the focus from traditional narratives of policy and victimhood to the everyday experiences of individuals adapting to a life of constant threat, raising critical questions about whether these safety rituals signify true preparedness or a surrender to violence.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
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Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring, supreme commander of the Luftwaffe, Hitler’s second in command, and the highest-ranking surviving Nazi leader, steps out of the car, stands at attention to announce his surrender, and orders the soldiers to carry his bags.—
Alice Kaplan,
The New York Review of Books,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Carlson-Wee introduces himself to Wood with the sweet docility of a young boy meeting his hero.—
Clara Molot,
Vanity Fair,
17 Mar. 2026
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The same goes for docility, often characterized as a near neighbor of meekness.—
Timothy J. Pawl,
The Conversation,
23 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 13 Apr. 2026.
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