obsequiously

adverb

as in servilely

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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 obsequiously Such a hearing is useful only because the players, Walz and Ellison, were grilled by people not obsequiously invested in them and who don’t hold back their accusations of malfeasance. — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026 Doctrines and designs which a few years since could find no mouthpiece out of a bar-room, or the piratical den of a filibuster, are now clothed with power by the authentic response of the bench of our highest judicatory, and obsequiously iterated from the oracular recesses of the National Palace. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsequiously
  1. humbly
  2. submissively
  3. meekly
  4. deferentially
  5. sheepishly
  6. timidly
  7. lowly
Adverb
  • The couple lived humbly, which was a nod to Roy Thompson’s beginnings.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • When Duffy walked out humbly to the stage, with a gentle handwave and smile, Dupree removed his cap atop his long rocker ponytail, put his gruff hand on Duffy’s lean shoulder and asked the crowd for a moment of silence.
    — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of humbly
Adverb
  • Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of submissively
Adverb
  • When Luke tells him, meekly, not to touch Crystal, Max only wants to know who the young man is.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Reluctantly, somewhat sheepishly, Van Lith wandered along the edge of the corn patch that August.
    — Jeff Murray, Outdoor Life, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
Definition of sheepishly
Adverb
  • By acting too timidly around its allies, Washington has missed opportunities.
    — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The other photo shows two of the cubs huddled in a corner of a habitat, with one eyeing the camera timidly.
    — Rachel Raposas, PEOPLE, 6 Apr. 2026
Definition of timidly
Adverb
  • And Colorado Springs Switchbacks earned a 3-1 win over lowly Sporting Kansas City.
    — Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 15 Apr. 2026
  • To win the division, the Ravens would need to win at Green Bay and Pittsburgh and have the Steelers lose to lowly Cleveland in Week 17.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025
Definition of lowly

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Cite this Entry

“Obsequiously.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsequiously. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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