subservience

noun

Definition of subserviencenext
as in servility

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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 subservience While counting the president’s fallacies has become routine, the ideological subservience of his senior-most cabinet members and advisors this term has given the public reason to second-guess statements and data issued by them or their offices. — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026 Japan may need to choose between accepting subservience to China and building up the military capacity necessary for independent deterrence. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026 Republican subservience is slowly beginning to wane. — Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025 Ray is the leader of a biker gang and demands utter subservience. — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subservience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subservience
  1. servility
  2. obsequiousness
  3. acquiescence
  4. submissiveness
  5. complaisance
  6. deference
  7. docility
Noun
  • Though the national independence be blurred by the servility of individuals, though freedom and equality have been proclaimed only to leave room for a monstrous display of slave-dealing and slave-keeping .
    — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026
Definition of servility
Noun
  • Groypers are repelled by the obsequiousness of pro-Trump influencers who are always willing to contort themselves to support the President’s latest actions.
    — Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2026
  • The obsequiousness, the sneers, the boasting, the vacant generalities, and the hand-waving bespeak fear of departing from the Trumpian orthodoxy of the moment.
    — Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026
Definition of obsequiousness
Noun
  • There are similar issues in competitive races in Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, where Republican acquiescence could hurt the party on Election Day as their constituents face factory layoffs, farm foreclosures and higher prices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Their acquiescence to this encroachment on their powers has made these politicians increasingly dependent on a dysfunctional national government.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness
Noun
  • The steadfast pushback against the administration might appear on the surface to be an encouraging trend, given the complaisance of the Republican majorities in Congress and weak-kneed capitulation to Trump by leaders of institutions such as universities and major corporations.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
  • Yet electing to be private doesn’t amount to complaisance or complicity.
    — Lesley M.M. Blume, Town & Country, 6 Dec. 2022
Definition of complaisance
Noun
  • In Asia, most markets carry a strong tradition of hierarchy and deference to leadership.
    — Ryoji Sekido, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Jeff Bezos is one of the richest men in the world, so he’s used to being treated with certain deference and most doors being open to him.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of deference
Noun
  • Carlson-Wee introduces himself to Wood with the sweet docility of a young boy meeting his hero.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The same goes for docility, often characterized as a near neighbor of meekness.
    — Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of docility

Browse Nearby Words

subsequently
subservience
subserviency
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Cite this Entry

“Subservience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subservience. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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