OBSEQUIOUSNESS Synonyms: 44 Similar and Opposite Words

obsequiousness

noun

as in servility

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Recent Examples of obsequiousness 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 The overconfidence and obsequiousness of LLMs are training choices. — Bruce Schneier, IEEE Spectrum, 21 Jan. 2026 Trump doesn’t have much to show for his obsequiousness. — Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 For another recent client, the board’s questions about his employer’s stock vesting schedule had Bari, the client, his agent, and the listing agent go through four rounds of revisions to ensure their response nailed a just-right level of obsequiousness. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for obsequiousness

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

The women had been close friends while studying for their doctorates some years earlier, but Catherine has since grown resentful of Leonora’s career, and dismissive of women whose scholarly ambitions come before marital subservience.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 June 2026
These young ladies are primed for a life of modesty and subservience to their husbands and the future fathers of their children.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 4 June 2026

Definition of subservience

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 criticism, everything counts, including the obvious, and Nolan’s film positively invites the comparison, dressing itself—in spite of its deference to current mass-market sensibilities—in the dignity of a classic.

— Richard Brody, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026
So, in that regard, there is a lot of deference given to the executive branch to reach those determinations, including determinations that may be policy driven.

— Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 31 July 2026

Definition of deference

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

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“Obsequiousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obsequiousness. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of obsequiousness

noun

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