obedience
noun
obe·di·ence
ō-ˈbē-dē-ən(t)s 
ə-
1
a
: an act or instance of obeying
b
: the quality or state of being obedient
Children should learn obedience and respect for authority.
2
: a sphere of jurisdiction
landowners within the king's obedience
especially
: an ecclesiastical or sometimes secular dominion
under the obedience of the Bishop of Rome
Examples of obedience in a Sentence
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command
Recent Examples on the Web
As Simone healed from her injuries, overcame mange, and started learning basic obedience and socialization, her personality emerged.
—
Kelli Bender, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
And while acting talent might be surplus to requirements, I was saddened to see the marvelous Mike Colter show up here as a supervillain who slaughters some of his own men to encourage obedience in their comrades.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For a vocal portion of the elite national security establishment, however, the remedy for that skepticism is not to entertain that its critics may have a point, but to demand reflexive obedience to an outdated consensus that may no longer be fit for purpose.
—Bernard Hudson, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
This approach often places a heavy emphasis on obedience and discipline, with little room for dialogue or compromise.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obedience 
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Kelli Bender, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
And while acting talent might be surplus to requirements, I was saddened to see the marvelous Mike Colter show up here as a supervillain who slaughters some of his own men to encourage obedience in their comrades.
—Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
For a vocal portion of the elite national security establishment, however, the remedy for that skepticism is not to entertain that its critics may have a point, but to demand reflexive obedience to an outdated consensus that may no longer be fit for purpose.
—Bernard Hudson, National Review, 13 Dec. 2024
This approach often places a heavy emphasis on obedience and discipline, with little room for dialogue or compromise.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obedience
Dictionary Entries Near obedience
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obedience. Accessed 5 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
obedience
noun
obe·di·ence
ō-ˈbēd-ē-ən(t)s
ə-
1
: an act or instance of obeying
2
: the quality or state of being obedient
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