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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

Examples 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 The council is amenable, with Newcastle likely to seek a longer lease than the 99 years agreed when St James’ was expanded in 1998, but that must be confirmed before expansion occurs. Chris Waugh, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025 Meanwhile, Republicans—who were ideologically more amenable to Carter’s laissez-faire policy accomplishments—were not predisposed to recognize the achievements of a member of the opposition. Paul Matzko / Made By History, TIME, 29 Dec. 2024 Traditionally, Republicans have been more amenable to the needs of business, but their behavior is less predictable at a time when populism is winning votes. Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 18 Dec. 2024 And even if Johnson was more amenable to the bill’s current language, KOSA still needs to go through the Education and Workforce Committee before it can be considered for a floor vote, a House GOP leadership source confirmed. Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 12 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for amenable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amenable
Adjective
  • The property owner in Bakersfield was willing to accept their unemployment payments as proof of income.
    Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2025
  • Whether the 49ers are willing to pony up that cash remains to be seen.
    Vincent Frank, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • His oxygen tank sat at his knees like an obedient mastiff.
    Brandon Taylor, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2025
  • Anyone who meets the gentle, obedient boy would never call him that.
    Bebe Hodges, USA TODAY, 15 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The cruise lines themselves were responsible for another direct impact of $6.3 million—a significant impact in a nation where the average income is under $10,000 per year.
    Joe Sills, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • The situation is more delicate for Fox reporters like Jennifer Griffin, the network’s chief national security correspondent, who will be responsible for covering a Pentagon under Mr. Hegseth’s purview.
    Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Florida ain’t ready for this | Commentary Snow in Florida?
    Milena Malaver, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Hurts, who was limited in Wednesday's practice and a full participant Thursday, is expected to be ready for the game.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Jurors found the city liable for First and Fourth Amendment violations, state civil-rights violations, battery and negligence against Johnson.
    Robert Salonga, The Mercury News, 24 Jan. 2025
  • And our imaginations are liable to fill in the blanks with worst-case scenarios.
    Michael Flannery, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The strategist suggested that Trump’s immediate lame-duck status, having already served one term, may also make some of his critics more inclined to accept him this time around.
    Brett Samuels, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
  • At this point, the Canucks seem more inclined to move Miller than Pettersson.
    Justin Gest, Newsweek, 20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • But the City by the Bay was not the only one with glad tidings.
    Jeffrey Steele, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • So glad The Athletic finally has a team dedicated to creating data visualizations!
    Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 15 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near amenable

Cite this Entry

“Amenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amenable. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on amenable

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