obedience

noun

ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s How to pronounce obedience (audio)
Definition of obediencenext
1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits

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2
as in submissiveness
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command

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3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law expectations of strict obedience to the guidelines were soon dashed

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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 obedience Its blinding concentration is awed into submission or obedience. — Michael O’Donnell, The Atlantic, 2 July 2026 Civilian control of the military requires obedience to lawful orders, not blind participation in whatever form of violence a president chooses to rename as war. — Jon Duffy, Mercury News, 25 June 2026 For example, a pet owner who doesn't have to absorb the full costs of a $5,000 emergency surgery bill may be better positioned to continue purchasing high-quality food, maintaining regular dental cleanings or enrolling in obedience classes afterward. — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 15 June 2026 Both local teams were certified in four disciplines that show off a police dog’s obedience and skills, that include narcotics and cadaver detection and tracking ability. — Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
  1. submission
  2. submissiveness
  3. adherence
  4. compliance
  5. acquiescence
  6. conformity
  7. surrender
  8. docility
Noun
  • Independent evaluation or validation may strengthen confidence in the process where appropriate, especially for higher-stakes submissions.
    — David Talby, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • The giveaway produced a 1,500-person waitlist, a 5% newsletter bump, a nice Instagram spike, and a few submissions.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of submission
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
  • But parties tend to resist arrangements designed by others, and when they are pressured into accepting them, their adherence lasts only as long as the pressure is sustained.
    — Matt Waldman, Foreign Affairs, 13 Aug. 2026
  • In that trial, adherence was slightly lower, and one participant acquired HIV.
    — Michal Ruprecht, NPR, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of adherence
Noun
  • Smarkets has had to confront each state’s provisions for its platform to operate as sportsbooks, including abiding to high compliance and tax costs.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The proposal could also allow some drivers to avoid further penalties by correcting their vehicle's modifications and bringing it into compliance.
    — Terell Bailey, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of compliance
Noun
  • With Taiwan’s 2028 elections approaching, sustained American support strengthens voices favoring self-defense over acquiescence to Beijing.
    — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026
  • In any case, the Biden Administration’s grudging acquiescence now looks like the beginning of a pattern of credulous capitulation.
    — David D. Kirkpatrick, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • Anish Koka is a practicing cardiologist in Philadelphia who writes, week after week, about the conformity of his profession and about what his colleagues believe privately and will not say publicly.
    — Sachin H. Jain, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • The sharp lyrics and title are embodied in the music itself, most notably in the relentless rhythm section, which reflects the endless pursuit of conformity and ambition that Smith criticizes.
    — Sophie Miller, Rolling Stone, 19 July 2026
Definition of conformity
Noun
  • But the prominence accorded to Hiroshima has unintentionally obscured the event that helped force Japan’s surrender.
    — James M. Scott, Time, 10 Aug. 2026
  • After Japan's surrender, the Kakitas suffered from dysentery and hair loss due to radiation poisoning.
    — Rina Nakano, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of surrender
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

obdurateness
obedience
obediences
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Cite this Entry

“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obedience

Nglish: Translation of obedience for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obedience

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