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
Might the show — with its army of all-knowing, obsequious entities consuming humanity — be a metaphor for the dangers of artificial intelligence?
—
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Von der Leyen did not appear obsequious in her meeting with Trump.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 July 2025
The Texas State Legislature was even more obsequious, approving a $15 million incentive package in 2013.
—Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 17 June 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
Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Nov. 2025
Von der Leyen did not appear obsequious in her meeting with Trump.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 29 July 2025
The Texas State Legislature was even more obsequious, approving a $15 million incentive package in 2013.
—Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 17 June 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
-
There can never again be a DED, even if Sherrill promises that Roehrenbeck will be subordinate to Garcia.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
The inspector general's investigation found that Reece and Ruff — who were supervisor and subordinate — did not disclose their romantic relationship, which is a violation of a city executive order.—
Nushrat Rahman,
Freep.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The generals reduced even their limited need for an obedient prime minister.—
Mohammed Hanif,
Time,
1 Dec. 2025
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Since Francoism promoted an image of women as obedient wives and self-sacrificing mothers devoted to the Catholic family model, Republican women were demonized as immoral, dangerous and unworthy of motherhood.—
Zaya Rustamova,
The Conversation,
19 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The series follows young teens Agnes, dutiful and pious, and Daisy, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Per the official logline, the series follows young teens Agnes, dutiful and pious, and Daisy, a new arrival and convert from beyond Gilead’s borders.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
After all, the deal — for a long-forsaken project, an action-comedy franchise starring two aging stars — underscores the servile fealty of new Paramount owners Larry and David Ellison amid their recent maneuvering to take control of TikTok and Warner Bros. Discovery (the latter seemingly futile).—
Gary Baum,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Dec. 2025
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Earlier this year, my colleague and bud Kelefa Sanneh suggested that music critics, as a lot, have gone soft—becoming submissive, overly agreeable, and, in some cases, nearly servile.—
Amanda Petrusich,
New Yorker,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsequious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsequious. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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