obsequiously
1
9.9
- adverb
- /əbˈsiːkwiəsli/
- The assistant listened obsequiously to every request from his boss, eager to please.
- smile obsequiously
- bow obsequiously
- come obsequiously
Examples
-
She nodded obsequiously, hoping to gain favor during the meeting.
-
A tall, turbaned man in a white and gilt uniform, long mustaches waxed, obsequiously opened the Padmini's squeaky door.
Fiction book (1992) -
In our contact with the street offices, to use an unpleasant term, we had to act obsequiously.
Academic text (2005) -
Terry, hot now, but with no idea what time will do to her in just five years, smiles obsequiously and mouths "shh."
Fiction book (2000) -
Yeah, she smiled obsequiously, flattered me constantly.
-
The guests laugh obsequiously.
Fiction book (1992) -
Seiyu leaned against the window frame, smiling obsequiously.
Fiction book (1998) -
As Artus turned to Judar, the young man smiled obsequiously.
Fiction book (1992) -
They reminded me of dutiful little hunchbacks, moving obsequiously out of our way as we explored the narrow tunnels leading to the main living quarters.
Fiction book (1993) -
A few weeks later, Noah Brinker came and inquired obsequiously if I wanted him to take me for "a ride on his Matchless motorcycle"; when I refused, he asked if I wanted to "make a few cents," proposing I teach his father the words he had forgotten.
Fiction book (1994)
Synonyms
4
8.4
In a way that copies others exactly without thinking
1
9.8
Speaks or acts in a too friendly way that does not seem honest
1
8.2
You do what someone tells you without asking questions
1
8.8
Trying too hard to please someone
1
8.8
In a way that gives too much praise to someone important to get their favor
1
8.9
In a way that is too eager to please someone important
In a way that is too eager to please someone
Antonyms
How Obsequious
Surface Forms
Morphology
obsequiously = obsequious (opaque) = ob + sequ + ious + ly
Forming an adverb by adding the productive suffix '-ly' to the adjective 'obsequious' is a regular and recognizable process.
Etymology
Obsequiously comes from Latin parts ob- and sequi, where sequi means 'to follow' and is the same root in sequence. Picture someone who follows a boss like a shadow, always agreeing and trying to please; that is why to act obsequiously is to be 'too eager to please or obey' someone.