subservience
noun
sub·ser·vi·ence
səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 
1
: a subservient or subordinate place or function
2
: obsequious servility
Examples of subservience in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In recent days, another leak—of a call between Orbán and Vladimir Putin—has been held up as evidence of the former’s subservience.
—
Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
While counting the president’s fallacies has become routine, the ideological subservience of his senior-most cabinet members and advisors this term has given the public reason to second-guess statements and data issued by them or their offices.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Japan may need to choose between accepting subservience to China and building up the military capacity necessary for independent deterrence.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Republican subservience is slowly beginning to wane.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subservience
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Kapil Komireddi, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2026
While counting the president’s fallacies has become routine, the ideological subservience of his senior-most cabinet members and advisors this term has given the public reason to second-guess statements and data issued by them or their offices.
—Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Japan may need to choose between accepting subservience to China and building up the military capacity necessary for independent deterrence.
—Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 18 Jan. 2026
Republican subservience is slowly beginning to wane.
—Rafael Perez, Oc Register, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for subservience
Cite this Entry
“Subservience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subservience. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subservience
noun
sub·ser·vi·ence
səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s
1
: a subordinate place or function
2
: obedience befitting one of a menial position
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