1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
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2
as in submissiveness
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command
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3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
expectations of strict obedience to the guidelines were soon dashed
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obedience
The Trumpian belief that the administration has the right to compel obedience has no bounds.
—
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
The 57-page superseding indictment read like a television drama, weaving a tale of influence, obedience, intimidation, an internal power struggle, drugs, guns and murder spanning multiple states and including local, regional and national chapters of the Sin City Deciples.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Parents who overemphasize obedience, which can require the suppression of big feelings, run the risk of raising people-pleasers who can’t advocate for themselves and are more likely to grow into anxious, unhappy adults, Raouda says.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
The obedience classic will feature 257 dog and handler teams, including 70 breeds from over 37 states.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
U T Editorial Board, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Jan. 2026
The 57-page superseding indictment read like a television drama, weaving a tale of influence, obedience, intimidation, an internal power struggle, drugs, guns and murder spanning multiple states and including local, regional and national chapters of the Sin City Deciples.
—Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Jan. 2026
Parents who overemphasize obedience, which can require the suppression of big feelings, run the risk of raising people-pleasers who can’t advocate for themselves and are more likely to grow into anxious, unhappy adults, Raouda says.
—Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 20 Dec. 2025
The obedience classic will feature 257 dog and handler teams, including 70 breeds from over 37 states.
—Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
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The submissions were also sent to prosecutor Daniel Porceddu, who didn't check their accuracy.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Luminate, the independent data provider to the Billboard charts, completes a thorough review of all data submissions used in compiling the weekly chart rankings.—
Gary Trust,
Billboard,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
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In Killers of the Flower Moon, his Ernest Burkhart starts off as a mopey, weak-minded World War One veteran, eager to do anything for his godfather uncle (Robert De Niro), but there’s still a certain likability to his dim-bulb submissiveness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The investigation will examine the vehicle's behavior in school zones and its adherence to speed limits.—
Keith Laing,
USA Today,
29 Jan. 2026
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Comments are moderated for adherence to our Community Guidelines.—
Manuel Mendoza,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And at the federal level, Congress is pressing pause on a new hemp definition that would have reshaped THC compliance nationwide.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
30 Jan. 2026
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Deutsche Bank has been trying to overcome a long history of compliance failures and regulatory scandals.—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Passage of this resolution was tantamount to acquiescence by Congress, granting the president the authority to respond militarily by sending thousands of troops to fight in Vietnam.—
Richard Cherwitz,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Jan. 2026
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Despite that goal, the Utah Legislature’s Republican supermajority, with Cox’s acquiescence, has taken a hard turn against solar power — which has been coming online faster than any other source in Utah and accounts for two-thirds of the new projects waiting to connect to the state’s power grid.—
Anjeanette Damon,
ProPublica,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
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With tax conformity factored in, lawmakers must make additional cuts in other areas, Tanner said.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
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This wicker man becomes a devoted partner, sparking jealousy and malice in her narrow-minded neighbors, exploring themes of love, cruelty, and societal conformity.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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That framing—control versus surrender—runs through Kapur’s entire philosophy.—
Rodger Dean Duncan,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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In September, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square hosted China’s biggest ever military parade to mark 80 years since Japan’s surrender in World War II.—
Charlie Campbell,
Time,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Though their observation has yet to be verified by wildlife biologists, Kogo and Tapanes are working with Burmese pythons specialists at the University of Florida to confirm the species.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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The most interesting observation from the Zubac injury was how well the Clippers played with Brook Lopez in the mix.—
Stan Son,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 2 Feb. 2026.
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