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 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 How does party capture — the subservience of entire systems — factor into this? — Nikki McCann Ramirez, Rolling Stone, 22 Sep. 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
  • 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
  • But many assumptions that Stratos’ investors or Utah politicians might have had about Box Elder County – about either the acquiescence of its people or the barrenness of its landscape – have been proved wrong over the past few months.
    — Melanie Stetson Freeman, Christian Science Monitor, 1 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
  • Some took that disavowal not as deference but jujitsu, or a form of political psy-ops directed at the governor’s longtime frenemy.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Under the measure, judges would have to largely give deference to a government agency’s decision to approve a project, provided the agency can show that decision was supported by substantial evidence.
    — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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