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
Because, in fact, I am usually immediately swayed by whatever intellectual fashion is in the air, and a first draft of any essay is more often than not a cynical and dutiful rehashing of the argument du jour.
—
Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
At the gallery opening a few days later, her suspicion only deepens when Daniel and Cherry, who arrived late in the first place, leave without saying goodbye, which is uncharacteristic of their dutiful son.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Citing Netflix's decision to continue to work with Dave Chappelle, 52, despite the comedian's anti-trans jokes , Maron said the streamer was only dutiful to its bottom line.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Hansen portrayed himself as a dutiful husband and father and later claimed that his wife was unaware of his crimes.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dutiful
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Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2025
At the gallery opening a few days later, her suspicion only deepens when Daniel and Cherry, who arrived late in the first place, leave without saying goodbye, which is uncharacteristic of their dutiful son.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Citing Netflix's decision to continue to work with Dave Chappelle, 52, despite the comedian's anti-trans jokes , Maron said the streamer was only dutiful to its bottom line.
—Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2025
Hansen portrayed himself as a dutiful husband and father and later claimed that his wife was unaware of his crimes.
—Caroline Blair, People.com, 21 Aug. 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 26 Sep. 2025.
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dutiful
adjective
du·ti·ful
ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl
: having or showing a sense of duty
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