dutiful
adjective
du·ti·ful
ˈdü-ti-fəl 
also ˈdyü-
1
: filled with or motivated by a sense of duty
a dutiful child
2
: proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty
a dutiful effort
Examples of dutiful in a Sentence
the dutiful way he took care of his sick mother
the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
The dutiful wife in pearls, hair set just so, makeup calibrated in a polished and understated way so as not to distract or stand out.
—
Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Today, all of these books are considered classics, which means that most of us encounter them only in the classroom, as objects of dutiful study.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Damon takes center stage as Odysseus, the brave and cunning king of Ithaca who gets waylaid for 10 years trying to return home to his loyal wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and dutiful son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), after playing a key role in the Trojan War.
—Oliver Gettell, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
Indiscriminate mass deportation of our law abiding, industrious, dutiful neighbors only recently arrived?
—Connor Greene, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
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Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026
Today, all of these books are considered classics, which means that most of us encounter them only in the classroom, as objects of dutiful study.
—Adam Kirsch, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2026
Damon takes center stage as Odysseus, the brave and cunning king of Ithaca who gets waylaid for 10 years trying to return home to his loyal wife, Penelope (Anne Hathaway), and dutiful son, Telemachus (Tom Holland), after playing a key role in the Trojan War.
—Oliver Gettell, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Dec. 2025
Indiscriminate mass deportation of our law abiding, industrious, dutiful neighbors only recently arrived?
—Connor Greene, Time, 18 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
Cite this Entry
“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 7 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dutiful
adjective
du·ti·ful
ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl
: having or showing a sense of duty
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