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

Its blinding concentration is awed into submission or obedience. — Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026

Civilian control of the military requires obedience to lawful orders, not blind participation in whatever form of violence a president chooses to rename as war. — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

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