as in docile
readily giving in to the command or authority of another
that boy is so obedient that he does everything the first time he is asked
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obedient
Those who tend to favor obedient children are scored as having more authoritarian views.
—
Adam Eichen, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
They’re done being obedient to an archaic and broken system.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024
According to the new framing, Russia’s real fight is against the mighty United States, which wants to destroy it, while Ukraine—just like the European Union and NATO—is merely an obedient U.S. satellite.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2023
The twist offered in this tale is that this dutiful and obedient AI proceeds to gobble up all the available resources on earth to maximally achieve this goal.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedient
Adam Eichen, The Conversation, 11 June 2025
They’re done being obedient to an archaic and broken system.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024
According to the new framing, Russia’s real fight is against the mighty United States, which wants to destroy it, while Ukraine—just like the European Union and NATO—is merely an obedient U.S. satellite.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2023
The twist offered in this tale is that this dutiful and obedient AI proceeds to gobble up all the available resources on earth to maximally achieve this goal.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedient
Adjective
-
The 2025 legislative session marked a sharp departure from DeSantis’ previously tight control of a docile Legislature.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
23 July 2025
-
But, with the world’s No 1 bowler absent at Edgbaston, India yet again got far more out of a docile pitch.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
Adjective
-
But while the Internet is torn over whether Carpenter’s submissive position on the Man’s Best Friend cover is funny or degrading, Whoopi Goldberg was more concerned with something else.—
Hannah Dailey,
Billboard,
12 June 2025
-
By contrast, a beta is supposedly weak and submissive—a follower.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
These employers often require hundreds of workers and are prepared to retain them long-term, which sets the foundation for highly successful and legally compliant placements.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
The president wants exactly the reverse from California, and seems most compliant with California desires when they are addressed to him with abject obsequiousness.—
Thomas Elias,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Advertisers can use biddable automation to buy ads in real-time against live programming, which is especially critical for live sports.—
Sara Fischer,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
-
Advertisers can use biddable automation to buy ads in real-time against live programming, which is especially critical for live sports.—
Sara Fischer,
Axios,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Several Republican members who spent years hyping up the Epstein case remained restrained in criticizing the White House's handling of the matter.—
John Parkinson,
ABC News,
24 July 2025
-
This restrained color story feels fresh yet timeless.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
23 July 2025
Adjective
-
Last year saw the first curved OLED televisions—progress in such conformable screens could lead to the days when virtually any surface could be host to a display.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
4 Jan. 2015
-
In particular, embodiments describe protective cover layer structures that may be implemented in curved, flexible, conformable and foldable display modules, and in particular with curved, flexible, conformable and foldable display panels.—
Chris Smith,
BGR,
6 Apr. 2021
Adjective
-
Until recently, their goal has been to attack the more tractable pure delivery market with a custom delivery robot about half the size of traditional cars.—
Brad Templeton,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
-
These prove out Fielder’s intuition that aviation safety depends on candid cockpit conversation, a particularly high-stakes—and, crucially, perhaps tractable—example of Fielder’s over-all preoccupation with the fear and anxiety that inhibits genuine communication.—
Gideon Lewis-Kraus,
New Yorker,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Senate Majority Leader John Thune may move to set up piles of nominee votes and test whether Democrats are amenable to a deal to move them more quickly.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
28 July 2025
-
Today such a mission would cost billions of dollars, however, and wouldn’t be amenable to upgrades or enduring operations.—
Nadia Drake,
Scientific American,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obedient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedient. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share