1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
expectations of strict obedience to the guidelines were soon dashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 obedience
In March 1856, Little Thunder was forced to shake hands with Harney, who had summoned leaders of the seven Lakota bands to Fort Pierre, in South Dakota, to dictate his terms for peace—essentially, obedience and docility.
—
Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Their doodle graduated first in its class from obedience school; next stop, Westminster.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
This mission feels like the ultimate test of obedience for Sinan, especially since the disgraceful discharge and tragic end of their father still cast a shadow over his otherwise spotless career prospects.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024
His team would consist not of experienced, independent advisers but of blind loyalists, many among them dedicated to carrying out the plans in Project 2025 to deconstruct the national security apparatus, including the military, to ensure its absolute obedience to the chief executive.
—Alexander Vindman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obedience 
Tim Madigan, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Oct. 2024
Their doodle graduated first in its class from obedience school; next stop, Westminster.
—Angela Haupt, TIME, 31 Oct. 2024
This mission feels like the ultimate test of obedience for Sinan, especially since the disgraceful discharge and tragic end of their father still cast a shadow over his otherwise spotless career prospects.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 10 Oct. 2024
His team would consist not of experienced, independent advisers but of blind loyalists, many among them dedicated to carrying out the plans in Project 2025 to deconstruct the national security apparatus, including the military, to ensure its absolute obedience to the chief executive.
—Alexander Vindman, Foreign Affairs, 25 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
-
Assess vendors’ submissions, monitor compliance and flag potential issues.Venky Yerrapotu, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
-
Your submission will be governed by our general Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.NPR Staff, NPR, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
While Strictly maintains its, well, strict adherence to the professional standards of the performance and judging of ballroom and Latin dance styles, DWTS has over the years eased its own standards.Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 5 Dec. 2024
-
Global Compliance Management: Ensure adherence to regulatory requirements and internal policies.Runar Reistrup, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
But since the 2021 sewage spill, Hyperion has seen a surge in compliance issues.Grace Toohey, Los Angeles Times, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Amid the rapid growth of AI in legal technology, one professional is standing out for his pioneering work in regulatory compliance and SEC filings.Chris Gallagher, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Indeed, the notion remains strong that Ukraine’s acquiescence to Russia on the territorial issue would send a devastating signal around the world that force prevails over the rule of law.Howard LaFranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 21 Nov. 2024
-
But all dictatorships require at least some degree of either popular support or acquiescence.Brett L. Carter, Foreign Affairs, 6 Jan. 2023
Noun
-
Andreessen said the party no longer tolerated dissent within its ranks and instead demanded lockstep conformity enforced through cancel culture, effectively reducing the Democrats to a religious cult minus the opportunity for redemption.Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024
-
This environment breeds conformity instead of innovation.Edward DeAngelis, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
The team is collecting more observations and hopes to take real-time data from Mars someday and use it to make predictions, much like weather forecasters do on Earth.Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Neither observation gives us a general theory of Trump 2.0.Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Owner surrenders are at an all-time high at her organization, which is based in Florida.Alana Semuels, TIME, 3 Dec. 2024
-
But the judge set a surrender date of Jan. 15, 2025, so Schoenfeld can spend the holidays with her family.David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Such deference to character development over world-building — especially considering the series leads the charge into DC’s new universe — is even more endearing than Gunn’s clear compassion for his misunderstood monsters.Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Dec. 2024
-
During Tuesday's episode of the Pod Save America podcast, Stephanie Cutter, Harris' campaign adviser, said the vice president wasn't willing to depart from the precedent of deference to the president during her campaign.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near obedience
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share