as in subordinate
disapproving
too eager to help or obey someone important
She's constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to.
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Recent Examples of obsequious
At 11:30, as the simultaneously pompous and obsequious gate agent announces the passengers above gold status, the bit, already tilting toward insanity, leaves any attempt to portray a real airport behind and dives fully into Alice in Wonderland–level surrealism.
—
John Roy, Vulture, 8 May 2025
And the obsequious fealty shown to him by the Republican Party reinforces why a president running amok should never have this much power again.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
Republicans insist Zelenskyy hasn’t been sufficiently obsequious to the United States, which is a point Vance hammered.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
The set’s background changed to a gaudy gold, Stewart played the role of an obsequious and cowed host who is terrified of saying the wrong thing on air (not entirely unlike how his former TDS colleague Stephen Colbert would play a right-wing character on the show).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for obsequious
John Roy, Vulture, 8 May 2025
And the obsequious fealty shown to him by the Republican Party reinforces why a president running amok should never have this much power again.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 18 Apr. 2025
Republicans insist Zelenskyy hasn’t been sufficiently obsequious to the United States, which is a point Vance hammered.
—The Editorial Board, Orange County Register, 5 Mar. 2025
The set’s background changed to a gaudy gold, Stewart played the role of an obsequious and cowed host who is terrified of saying the wrong thing on air (not entirely unlike how his former TDS colleague Stephen Colbert would play a right-wing character on the show).
—James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
See All Example Sentences for obsequious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsequious
Adjective
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The Moldovan Orthodox Church, which is subordinate to Moscow, has also echoed Kremlin talking points, warning congregants that EU membership would destroy traditions and family values.—
Dan Perry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
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Timing is another significant consideration in real estate, with the property’s actual structure being a somewhat subordinate factor.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The pawrent, who uses the social media tag @dollythesassysausage, shared the unconventional tactic of tying the lead of their sausage dog, Dolly, to their sibling's dog—an obedient cocker spaniel called Cooper.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Aug. 2025
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The Golem was a powerful, obedient protector, performing tasks and defending the ghetto.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Still, Ekwonu said Sunday after the contest that there were issues along the unit that even the most dutiful observers couldn’t see.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
30 Sep. 2025
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Because, in fact, I am usually immediately swayed by whatever intellectual fashion is in the air, and a first draft of any essay is more often than not a cynical and dutiful rehashing of the argument du jour.—
Zadie Smith,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
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His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsequious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsequious. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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