obedience

noun

ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s How to pronounce obedience (audio)
Definition of obediencenext
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

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 obedience Falwell championed a vision of America rooted in obedience to biblical authority and conformity with traditional values, placing him in tension with Enlightenment principles like individual rights, rational inquiry, and free thought. — Literary Hub, 25 Aug. 2026 One of six K-9s with the sheriff’s office, Koda is trained in narcotics detection, tracking people, article searches and obedience. — Marissa Yelenik, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 In order to get Maggie, her beloved first rough collie, then 16-year-old Long-Gschwender struck a bargain with her mom to enter Maggie into an obedience program. — Noah Daly august 23, Idaho Statesman, 23 Aug. 2026 What ended the relationship was his insistence on obedience and dominance. — Rin Reczek, The Conversation, 17 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
  1. submission
  2. submissiveness
  3. adherence
  4. compliance
  5. acquiescence
  6. conformity
  7. surrender
  8. docility
Noun
  • The process will work by Watrfall execs reviewing every submission and responding to applicants within six weeks.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Swift is not alone in splitting her chances with different submissions.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of submission
Noun
  • Attraction is a function of parentage and looks and submissiveness.
    — Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 6 May 2026
  • But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.
    — Dan Pompei, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Definition of submissiveness
Noun
  • The humidity-resistant, child-resistant container can be composted or recycled, reducing plastic use by up to 71%; pharmacies can also brand the tube or print adherence instructions directly on it.
    — Lauryn Higgins, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Morning sessions align with the body’s natural cortisol peak, and people who exercise early tend to finish before the day’s demands get in the way, which tends to help adherence.
    — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of adherence
Noun
  • To assure further compliance, Section 5 of the act required those states to get approval from the Justice Department or a court before making any changes to their electoral systems.
    — Jeffrey Toobin, The New York Review of Books, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The agreement lasts for three years but could be cut short or extended depending on whether the parties mutually determine the city and Police Department have reached compliance.
    — Sophie Bates, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of compliance
Noun
  • There are similar issues in competitive races in Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, where Republican acquiescence could hurt the party on Election Day as their constituents face factory layoffs, farm foreclosures and higher prices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Their acquiescence to this encroachment on their powers has made these politicians increasingly dependent on a dysfunctional national government.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2026
Definition of acquiescence
Noun
  • Erdogan’s attempt to foster an Ottoman-style pan-Islamism appears to have accelerated liberalization rather than strengthened religious conformity.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
  • But in the middle of this conformity rises building like the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, the Guggenheim in Bilbao, the Dancing House in Prague, the Harbin Opera House in China—original structures—no copies.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of conformity
Noun
  • When threats don’t speed wins In the pursuit of surrender, or at least a ceasefire, the promise of crushing defeat has rarely been enticing.
    — Anna Mulrine Grobe, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Winston Churchill did not surrender to Germany, nor should Zelenskyy surrender to Putin.
    — Alfred H. Moses, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of surrender
Noun
  • Carlson-Wee introduces himself to Wood with the sweet docility of a young boy meeting his hero.
    — Clara Molot, Vanity Fair, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The same goes for docility, often characterized as a near neighbor of meekness.
    — Timothy J. Pawl, The Conversation, 23 Feb. 2026
Definition of docility

Browse Nearby Words

obdurateness
obedience
obediences
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Cite this Entry

“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on obedience

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about obedience

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