obsequiously

Examples

• All

• 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.

  Two Weeks Notice (2002)

• 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

S

slavishly

vsobsequiously

4 8.4

In a way that copies others exactly without thinking

is focused on eagerness to serve rather than mindless imitation

S

subserviently

vsobsequiously

1 8.2

You do what someone tells you without asking questions

is less about blind unquestioning obedience and more about eager pleasing

U

unctuously

vsobsequiously

1 9.8

Speaks or acts in a too friendly way that does not seem honest

is more about eager service and obedience rather than oily flattering speech

S

servilely

vsobsequiously

8.8

Trying too hard to please someone

is the same meaning with no added nuance or different focus

D

doggishly

vsobsequiously

9.1

In a way that is too eager to please someone

is less fawning and more about simple eager obedience

C

cringingly

vsobsequiously

• Archaic

8.9

In a way that is too eager to please someone important

is about eager pleasing without the specifically embarrassing, grovelling quality

S

sycophantically

vsobsequiously

• Offensive

8.8

In a way that gives too much praise to someone important to get their favor

is similar but less focused on flattering to gain someone's favor

Antonyms

A

assertively

2 5.1

In a confident, firm way that makes your opinions and needs clear

How Obsequious

servilely

8.8

obsequiously

1 9.9

submissively

1 5.3

compliantly

1 4.6

obligingly

3 4.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology