Definition of amenablenext
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as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so even our nation's highest leaders must remain amenable to the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word amenable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of amenable are docile, obedient, and tractable. While all these words mean "submissive to the will of another," amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness.

amenable to new ideas

When is it sensible to use docile instead of amenable?

The words docile and amenable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance.

a docile child

When might obedient be a better fit than amenable?

While in some cases nearly identical to amenable, obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority.

obedient to the government

When could tractable be used to replace amenable?

While the synonyms tractable and amenable are close in meaning, tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing.

tractable animals

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of amenable And the traditional companies are proving more amenable to helping anchors launch new ventures. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 24 Feb. 2026 Yermak’s successor, Kyrylo Budanov, a lieutenant general and spymaster who now leads Ukraine’s negotiating team, has been more amenable to compromises, even on the question of territory. Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026 Gregory Bovino with border czar Tom Homan and the subsequent reduction of ICE agents in Minneapolis are evidence that the president is amenable to finding a better solution at the present time. Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026 The conditions in February at Bowman Gray are too unpredictable not to wonder whether NASCAR is better served by shifting the Clash to a different venue, preferably somewhere that offers a better chance to race in more amenable weather. Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for amenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amenable
Adjective
  • The farmworkers' rights movement has always been powered by courage, by people willing to endure, to speak out, to demand dignity in the face of injustice.
    Luzdelia Caballero, CBS News, 31 Mar. 2026
  • And parents were generally more willing to let kids do things by themselves, not only play outside but also help out in the community.
    Stephen Johnson, Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Her son, Navaraj, is obedient and dutiful.
    Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026
  • Tariffs could be 'hard sell' in election year How obedient will the congressional GOP be to Trump in an election year?
    Justin Papp, CNBC, 23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The investigation revealed that the man near the scene was the child's uncle, who was the last person known to be responsible for the child's care, police said.
    Brandon Downs, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026
  • To take ecology seriously in art is not to retreat from circulation, but to insist that circulation be reciprocal, responsible, and capable of resisting the monocultures—economic, cultural, and political—that continue to shape the present.
    Manuela Moscoso, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • During the first one to two days on the mission, the crew will be in a high Earth orbit and conduct systems checks, such as testing the Orion capsule's life-support, propulsion, navigation, and communications systems to ensure the spacecraft is ready to travel into deep space.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Both Miller and Martinez shared a similar sentiment, explaining that business owners need to be ready to network and create a social media strategy.
    Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The resulting lawsuit found both the Cowboys and the NFL liable for the working conditions on that 27-degree February day.
    Nick Harris April 3, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, a jury in New Mexico found Meta liable in a case involving child safety, while jurors in Los Angeles held the Facebook parent and Google's YouTube negligent in a personal injury trial.
    Jennifer Elias,Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Lemay approached the project by covering the trench with a gently inclined floating plane, creating an accessible, continuous surface across the site.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Mar. 2026
  • More early ballots have so far been cast in Republican-leaning districts where voters may be more inclined to vote against the redistricting measure, according to data compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • Gene Gallerano is glad to have a movie playing close to home.
    Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
  • What People Are Saying Contributors to Reddit's r/cars forum were glad to see the report, amid more than 300 comments this week.
    Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Amenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amenable. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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