Synonyms of slavish

slavish

adjective

ˈslā-vish 

1

as in imitative

using or marked by the use of something else as a basis or model

slavish imitations of the great masters will never make you a painter in your own right

Synonyms & Similar Words

• imitative
• imitation
• emulative
• formulaic
• mock
• apish
• unoriginal
• mimetic
• mimic
• misleading
• deceptive
• copied
• false
• fraudulent
• canned
• epigonous
• epigonic
• artificial
• synthetic
• factitious
• fake
• counterfeit
• sham
• perfunctory
• bogus
• simulated
• reproduced
• substitute
• routine
• duplicated
• reduplicated
• uninspired
• cribbed
• photocopied
• transcribed
• plagiarized
• forged
• backup
• cut-and-dried
• man-made
• cut-and-dry

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• original
• true
• legitimate
• authentic
• real
• archetypal
• bona fide
• natural
• genuine
• archetypical
• classic
• ideal
• model

2

as in humble

showing, expressing, or offered in a spirit of humility or unseemly submissiveness

the assistant's slavish agreement with his boss's every thought, no matter how half-baked

Synonyms & Similar Words

• humble
• servile
• abject
• meek
• menial
• base
• sheepish
• sycophantic
• hangdog
• modest
• fawning
• unassuming
• lowly
• lamblike
• retiring
• unpretentious
• sycophant
• demure
• toadyish

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• superior
• arrogant
• haughty
• imperious
• supercilious
• lordly
• uppity
• high-handed

Synonym Chooser

How is the word slavish distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of slavish are obsequious, servile, and subservient. While all these words mean "showing or characterized by extreme compliance or abject obedience," slavish suggests abject or debased servility.

the slavish status of migrant farm workers

When is obsequious a more appropriate choice than slavish?

While in some cases nearly identical to slavish, obsequious implies fawning or sycophantic compliance and exaggerated deference of manner.

waiters who are obsequious in the presence of celebrities

When might servile be a better fit than slavish?

While the synonyms servile and slavish are close in meaning, servile suggests the mean or fawning behavior of a slave.

a political boss and his entourage of servile hangers-on

When can subservient be used instead of slavish?

The meanings of subservient and slavish largely overlap; however, subservient implies the cringing manner of one very conscious of a subordinate position.

domestic help was expected to be properly subservient

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of slavish

Meanwhile, Donald Trump’s Democratic opponents have expressed horror at his slavish flattery of Putin but have failed to articulate a coherent Russia strategy of their own. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 11 Feb. 2020

Feud and American Horror Story creator Murphy purchased the Brown House in 2022 and set about renovating it and decorating it in an eclectic style that wasn’t slavish to its mid-century roots. —Degen Pener, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024

But California’s governor was utterly slavish in the role of dutiful party soldier, repeatedly extolling Biden’s performance with a rat-a-tat of statistics — a Newsom hallmark — on falling inflation, rising employment and other favorable barometers. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 1 Dec. 2023

After the script was poorly received by De Laurentiis, Herbert took one last stab at trying to pull it in a less lengthy/slavish direction. —Max Evry, WIRED, 4 Mar. 2024