Synonyms of obedient

obedient

adjective

ō-ˈbē-dē-ənt 

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

• docile
• submissive
• compliant
• biddable
• restrained
• conformable
• tractable
• amenable
• meek
• gentle
• decorous
• controllable
• soft
• law-abiding
• dutiful
• repressed
• subordinate
• acquiescent
• obliging
• tame
• amiable
• servile
• subservient
• agreeable
• obsequious
• disciplined
• slavish
• governable
• orderly
• yielding
• surrendering
• duteous
• constrained
• fawning
• mannerly
• obeisant
• manageable
• trainable
• placable
• teachable
• mild
• inhibited
• kowtowing
• handleable
• disciplinable
• curbed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• disobedient
• rebellious
• defiant
• contrary
• willful
• recalcitrant
• refractory
• insubordinate
• unruly
• wayward
• obstreperous
• contumacious
• restive
• noncompliant
• intractable
• rebel
• stubborn
• mutinous
• ungovernable
• obstinate
• untoward
• balky
• headstrong
• insurgent
• unyielding
• obdurate
• wild
• hardheaded
• peevish
• resistant
• uncontrollable
• mulish
• defiant
• dogged
• unmanageable
• froward
• unamenable
• perverse
• mischievous
• naughty
• incompliant
• bad
• disorderly
• self-willed
• pigheaded
• balky
• undisciplined
• errant
• insolent
• impudent
• dissident
• nonconformist
• disrespectful
• rude
• misbehaving
• impolite
• ill-bred
• ill-mannered

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of obedient

The audience would do well to stay attuned to this goal — and how obedient Nat is willing to be. —Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2026

The Intelligence Age doesn’t require obedient workers. —Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

My horse remained calm and obedient. —Cindy Cowen, Christian Science Monitor, 3 Dec. 2025

The generals reduced even their limited need for an obedient prime minister. —Mohammed Hanif, Time, 1 Dec. 2025