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 Butera said Abrams was amenable to the move while noting that shortstops take pride in playing the position — something Abrams also acknowledged. — ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026 But jobs are really bundles of tasks, some more amenable to automation than others, according to Stanford professor Charles Jones, a leading scholar of how AI will affect growth. — Matt Peterson,kate Rooney, CNBC, 12 Aug. 2026 Branagh’s Lopakhin is unusually amenable, said Arifa Akbar in The Guardian. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 30 July 2026 This can be challenging for the beginner, especially if dealing with unstable conditions that require the starter needing to be moved from spot to spot amenable for fermentation. — Shirl Leigh july 16, New Atlas, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for amenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amenable
Adjective
  • Ours is a society in which those intrepid few who are willing to engage with their surroundings will find no eyes or ears to receive them.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2026
  • But that has been changing since the pandemic, as consumers became more interested, knowledgable and willing to experiment with fragrances than ever.
    — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The Attorney General, Todd Blanche, is an obedient Tom Hagen.
    — David Remnick, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Reflecting on her obedient past as a child actor, Panettiere told THR that that pressure ultimately took a toll on her.
    — Hilary Lewis, HollywoodReporter, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Under that unique arrangement between the league, team and venue, the Jaguars are responsible for game day staffing, vendors, operations, ticketing, concessions and more.
    — Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Four men — including a Los Angeles Department of Water and Power employee — were responsible for more than $170,000 in damage to downtown buildings during a yearlong graffiti spree, prosecutors alleged Thursday.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The mattress was ready to sleep on just a few hours after unpacking.
    — Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 21 Oct. 2026
  • In his solo show, South Florida dancer/choreographer Randolph Ward is ready to bare it all—his art, his many selves, and, at one point, his body as testimony.
    — Guillermo Perez, Miami Herald, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In March, a jury found Meta and YouTube liable for creating products that led to harmful and addictive behavior by young users.
    — Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The judge also found the city liable because Harris had final authority to enforce the public-participation policy during council meetings.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 16 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Screens make staying in easy Puls said that adults are more inclined to stay home and stream movies and TV shows instead of hosting friends and family or going out.
    — Deirdre Bardolf, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Republicans were slightly more inclined to approve, with 34 percent arguing it should be livestreamed, but even there, an overwhelming 64 percent disagreed.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Welcome back Insiders, glad to have you here after a busy week in Cannes and plenty else going on.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The publisher was so glad, saying thank you because the book is back, and on top of that, the world is discovering that character.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Amenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amenable. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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