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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obsequious
There were cover stories on him and obsequious profiles.
—
Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025
What was criminal in the eyes of Putin and occasioned Navalny’s death was his work exposing the tyrant, his obsequious oligarchs and lickspittle party United Russia as crooks, thieves and killers.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024
Sunny initially speaks in an obsequious ChatGPT-generic tone, but the robot gradually adopts Suzie’s speech patterns, softening Suzie’s initial skepticism.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
Those words were the theme for the entire stay, from the friendly but not obsequious doormen, to the at-the-ready house car (a hybrid Bentley SUV, naturally), to the peaceful, never-overcrowded Hanover Square directly across the street.
—Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obsequious
Cory Franklin, Twin Cities, 2 Jan. 2025
What was criminal in the eyes of Putin and occasioned Navalny’s death was his work exposing the tyrant, his obsequious oligarchs and lickspittle party United Russia as crooks, thieves and killers.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 15 Nov. 2024
Sunny initially speaks in an obsequious ChatGPT-generic tone, but the robot gradually adopts Suzie’s speech patterns, softening Suzie’s initial skepticism.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024
Those words were the theme for the entire stay, from the friendly but not obsequious doormen, to the at-the-ready house car (a hybrid Bentley SUV, naturally), to the peaceful, never-overcrowded Hanover Square directly across the street.
—Laura Ratliff, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for obsequious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsequious
Adjective
-
Look at rumors, gossip, metaphors, euphemisms, folktales—all the means by which subordinate groups disguise their opposition.—
Nikil Saval,
New Yorker,
7 Apr. 2025
-
As subsidiaries, they are often deprived of strategic independence and fiscal autonomy, rendering long-term growth plans subordinate to broader organizational priorities.—
Priya Oberoi,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The twist offered in this tale is that this dutiful and obedient AI proceeds to gobble up all the available resources on earth to maximally achieve this goal.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
The twist offered in this tale is that this dutiful and obedient AI proceeds to gobble up all the available resources on earth to maximally achieve this goal.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The energy burst obliterated AL (into a sperm and egg that the dutiful cleaner robot swept up), while Fifteen as a Time Lord was able to absorb the part of the blast directed at Belinda.—
Matt Webb Mitovich,
TVLine,
12 Apr. 2025
-
With numinous Neptune officially transiting your dutiful sixth house of health, work, routines and day-to-day affairs, your lifestyle is evolving.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
So Alex dons a uniform, buses tables and engages in servile labor for the first time in her life.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
23 Mar. 2025
-
Trump’s servile devotion to Putin becomes the new norm overnight as Republicans cower in support of Trump’s new Putin policy.—
Bob Kustra,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obsequious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsequious. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share