servilely

adverb

Definition of servilelynext
as in obsequiously

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for servilely
  1. obsequiously
  2. submissively
  3. humbly
  4. meekly
  5. deferentially
  6. sheepishly
Adverb
  • Such a hearing is useful only because the players, Walz and Ellison, were grilled by people not obsequiously invested in them and who don’t hold back their accusations of malfeasance.
    — Joe Soucheray, Twin Cities, 7 Mar. 2026
  • Doctrines and designs which a few years since could find no mouthpiece out of a bar-room, or the piratical den of a filibuster, are now clothed with power by the authentic response of the bench of our highest judicatory, and obsequiously iterated from the oracular recesses of the National Palace.
    — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of obsequiously
Adverb
  • Outwardly Smart behaved submissively, following her captors’ instructions while always looking for a way to escape.
    — KC Baker, PEOPLE, 15 Jan. 2026
Definition of submissively
Adverb
  • The couple lived humbly, which was a nod to Roy Thompson’s beginnings.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2026
  • When Duffy walked out humbly to the stage, with a gentle handwave and smile, Dupree removed his cap atop his long rocker ponytail, put his gruff hand on Duffy’s lean shoulder and asked the crowd for a moment of silence.
    — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of humbly
Adverb
  • When Luke tells him, meekly, not to touch Crystal, Max only wants to know who the young man is.
    — JP Mangalindan, Time, 31 July 2026
  • Sincere meekly hands her a flower from his pocket and sits down, appearing penitent.
    — Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 29 June 2026
Definition of meekly
Adverb
  • Precedent thus gave the judge reason to deferentially review settlement terms.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 May 2026
  • Scorsese shoots them beautifully and deferentially.
    — Matt Weinstock, New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of deferentially
Adverb
  • Green looked sheepishly at Linkof, who gave him the green light to spill the beans.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 24 July 2026
  • But their erotic encounter is short-lived, as Joe tumbles and blows his back out while sheepishly dancing to Sade.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 11 July 2026
Definition of sheepishly
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.

Browse Nearby Words

servile
servilely
servilities
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Cite this Entry

“Servilely.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/servilely. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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