Synonyms of obedience

obedience

noun

ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s 

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

• submission
• compliance
• conformity
• submissiveness
• surrender
• subordination
• discipline
• dutifulness
• acquiescence
• subservience
• restraint
• docility
• repression
• suppression
• humility
• meekness
• obeisance
• order
• deference
• tractability
• trainability
• subserviency
• capitulation
• servility
• yielding
• obsequiousness
• teachableness
• amenability
• control
• agreeability
• modesty
• inhibition
• abidance
• slavishness
• tractableness
• subordinateness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disobedience
• rebellion
• noncompliance
• defiance
• insubordination
• contumacy
• rebelliousness
• willfulness
• waywardness
• self-will
• recalcitrance
• refractoriness
• unruliness
• intractability
• noncooperation
• contrariness
• disrespect
• revolt
• insolence
• insurrection
• impudence
• recusancy
• rudeness
• mutiny
• outbreak
• insurgency
• rebelling
• stubbornness
• frowardness
• obstinacy
• perversity
• obstreperousness
• balkiness
• misbehavior
• insurgence
• pigheadedness
• dissent
• hardheadedness
• naughtiness
• mischievousness
• dissidence
• mulishness
• obstinateness
• mutinousness

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

• submissiveness
• acquiescence
• docility
• deference
• assent
• compliance
• compliancy
• biddability
• subservience
• acceptance
• humoring
• receptivity
• subserviency
• servility
• surrender
• conformity
• receptiveness
• complaisance
• consent
• obsequiousness
• slavishness
• amenability
• submission
• amiability
• friendliness
• cooperativeness
• capitulation
• indulgence
• sociability
• cordiality
• geniality
• affability
• amicability
• good-naturedness
• congeniality

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disobedience
• defiance
• hostility
• enmity
• recalcitrance
• animosity
• intractability
• antipathy
• ill will

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

• adherence
• compliance
• conformity
• observation
• observance
• conformance
• deference
• respect
• abidance
• keeping
• acquiescence
• surrender
• submission
• regard
• upholding
• attendance
• attention
• honor
• accession
• heed
• notice

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• violation
• breach
• infringement
• trespass
• transgression
• infraction
• disregard
• contravention
• ignoring
• neglect
• nonobservance
• forgetting
• delinquency
• sin
• offense
• rebellion
• challenge
• defiance
• dereliction
• wrong
• brush-off
• overlooking
• flouting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of obedience

For example, a pet owner who doesn't have to absorb the full costs of a $5,000 emergency surgery bill may be better positioned to continue purchasing high-quality food, maintaining regular dental cleanings or enrolling in obedience classes afterward. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 15 June 2026

Both local teams were certified in four disciplines that show off a police dog’s obedience and skills, that include narcotics and cadaver detection and tracking ability. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

Eid al-Adha is one of the holiest days in Islam and commemorates the Prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God before God provided an animal to sacrifice instead. — Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 31 May 2026

The festival commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, with millions of livestock being sacrificed across Bangladesh during the celebration. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 28 May 2026