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
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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obedience
As a child performing with his brothers at the family home in Gary, Indiana, young Michael (Juliano Krue Valdi) is beaten by his father, Joe (Colman Domingo), who demands obedience along with musical discipline.
—
Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
As firefighter after firefighter testified about their actions during the Lachman fire, a clear theme emerged — the Los Angeles Fire Department’s culture of absolute obedience.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
And also the anticipatory obedience by a lot of these news organizations who are more timid.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
The first instills obedience; the second, agency.
—Deborah Kenny, Time, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 24 Apr. 2026
As firefighter after firefighter testified about their actions during the Lachman fire, a clear theme emerged — the Los Angeles Fire Department’s culture of absolute obedience.
—Alene Tchekmedyian, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
And also the anticipatory obedience by a lot of these news organizations who are more timid.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
The first instills obedience; the second, agency.
—Deborah Kenny, Time, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
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The final submission—a six-line poem from Akil—was cryptic, nearly indecipherable.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
11 May 2026
-
The submission fee is $15 per item; credit cards, checks and cash will be accepted.—
Melinda Moore,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
Noun
-
Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
6 May 2026
-
But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
In addiction medicine, this type of frequent patient contact would be invaluable for informational purposes as well as successful adherence to treatment plans.—
Steve D. Klein,
STAT,
14 May 2026
-
As one of the negative philosophies, pessimism, in its adherence to radical openness, is also marked by its anti-systematic nature.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
Noun
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Before publishing, journalists reviewed this content in compliance with McClatchy Media’s AI policy.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
15 May 2026
-
Treat data as management, not compliance.—
Caroline Whistler,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Noun
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Writing in the early 1890s, Nadar deployed Balzac’s reported initial mistrust and later acquiescence to the daguerreotype as an allegory of larger significance for understanding the history of invention.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Apr. 2026
-
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
Noun
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States were supposed to function as laboratories of democracy, not regional branches of a national political movement enforcing ideological conformity from the top down.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
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In a culture that demands silence and conformity, her endurance becomes the loudest act of love, and his body becomes the only language left.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The conditions of the surrender permanently ban Szabo from holding a real estate license in North Carolina.—
Amber Gaudet,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
-
Hamas has linked weapon surrender to Israeli troop withdrawals, as Israel’s military continues occupying over half of Gaza and has escalated strikes in recent days.—
Julia Frankel,
Los Angeles Times,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
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 18 May. 2026.
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