OBEDIENT Synonyms: 103 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'obedient' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obedient are amenable , docile , and tractable . While all these words mean "submissive to the will of another," obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority. // obedient to the government

Q: When is 'amenable' a more appropriate choice than 'obedient'?

The words amenable and obedient can be used in similar contexts, but amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness. // amenable to new ideas

Q: When is it sensible to use 'docile' instead of 'obedient'?

Although the words docile and obedient have much in common, docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance. // a docile child

Q: Where would 'tractable' be a reasonable alternative to 'obedient'?

In some situations, the words tractable and obedient are roughly equivalent. However, tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing. // tractable animals

obedient

adjective

ō-ˈbē-dē-ənt

Definition of obedient

as in docile

readily giving in to the command or authority of another that boy is so obedient that he does everything the first time he is asked

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word obedient different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of obedient are amenable, docile, and tractable. While all these words mean "submissive to the will of another," obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority.

obedient to the government

When is amenable a more appropriate choice than obedient?

The words amenable and obedient can be used in similar contexts, but amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness.

amenable to new ideas

When is it sensible to use docile instead of obedient?

Although the words docile and obedient have much in common, docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance.

a docile child

Where would tractable be a reasonable alternative to obedient?

In some situations, the words tractable and obedient are roughly equivalent. However, tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing.

tractable animals

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 obedient How might Infantino continue to profess neutrality while still clearly taking a side, pretending to listen to every voice while remaining obedient to only one? — Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 7 June 2026 These stories usually involve a woman shucking societal norms of being nice, pretty, and obedient. — Literary Hub, 20 May 2026 Jonah used his three days in the fish’s belly to recommit to loving God and being obedient. — Kit Cornell Kurtz, Christian Science Monitor, 22 Apr. 2026 Just think of all those vacant Madonnas, structurally perfect compositions, and obedient daydreams of antiquity. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obedient

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedient

Adjective

Even with docile scoring conditions that Saturday, Royal Birkdale yielded plenty of statistical superlatives for the championship.

— Justin Ray, New York Times, 18 July 2026
In April, Hulu began airing the series The Testaments, a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale that depicts teen girls trained to be docile homemakers.

— Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026

Definition of docile

Adjective

The submissive Colin finds new confidence and enjoys doing assorted things for Ray, but complications arise when Colin begins to want something more emotional.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 12 June 2026
This is a strategy born not of manly strength, but of submissive desperation.

— Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026

Definition of submissive

Adjective

In 1997, there were slightly less than 200 Jones Act–compliant oceangoing ships, meaning they were built, owned, and operated by Americans; now there are about 92.

— James Surowiecki, The Atlantic, 21 July 2026
Commercial ships still accounted for more than 70% of traffic over the period, although only about one-third were assessed as compliant with maritime restrictions.

— Lee Ying Shan,Anniek Bao, CNBC, 21 July 2026

Definition of compliant

Adjective

Advertisers can use biddable automation to buy ads in real-time against live programming, which is especially critical for live sports.

— Sara Fischer, Axios, 8 Apr. 2025
Disney is boosting its advertising capabilities for live events, with third-party partnerships, a new certification program for live sports and entertainment as well as biddable deals for live sports.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 6 Jan. 2025

Definition of biddable

Adjective

Where Heron feels restrained and almost surgical, Hornbill is shaped for users who want more contact with the handle, more leverage through the cut, and a stronger physical presence without moving into oversized tactical-knife territory.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Drewchin operates in this more restrained mode throughout the record, peeling back the layers of her dizzying art pop.

— Colin Joyce, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of restrained

Adjective

Is this suit more conformable than the costume from Revenge of the Sith?

— Ryan Parker, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 June 2022
Parker details that after a few meetings and sample swapping with the agency, Macy’s picked up her collection and the pair have dedicated its mission to approach size inclusive fashion in a fun yet conformable way.

— Nandi Howard, Essence, 18 May 2021

Definition of conformable

Adjective

Anomaly detection, pattern recognition and risk stratification for pregnancy complications are all tractable applications when the underlying data quality is there, and the design keeps a clinician in the decision loop.

— Edin Deljkic, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
After decades of mathematicians spinning their wheels, the problem suddenly seemed tractable.

— Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 19 May 2026

Definition of tractable

Adjective

This can be challenging for the beginner, especially if dealing with unstable conditions that require the starter needing to be moved from spot to spot amenable for fermentation.

— Shirl Leigh July 16, New Atlas, 17 July 2026
Washington merchant and investor William Mayne Duncanson, for example, called on Jefferson to offer his services in the venture, assuming that Jefferson was amenable to Miranda’s plans.

— Lindsay Schakenbach Regele, The Conversation, 13 July 2026

Definition of amenable

Browse Nearby Words

obediences

obedient

obeisance

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“Obedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedient. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of obedient

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