Obsequious — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs/ ob·se·qui·ous

Meaning & Definition of Obsequious

Obsequious (adjective)

  1. marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness

Obsequious (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. too eager to help or obey someone important

    "She's constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to."

    similar: fawning, kowtowing, obeisant, servile, slavish, subordinate, subservient, amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, law-abiding, obedient, submissive, tractable, acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, duteous, dutiful, obliging, placable, soft, surrendering, yielding, decorous, disciplined, mannerly, orderly, constrained, curbed, inhibited, repressed, restrained, controllable, disciplinable, governable, handleable, manageable, tame, teachable, trainable, gentle, meek, mild
    opposite: insurgent, mutinous, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, peevish, pigheaded, self-willed, stubborn, unyielding, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild, balky, defiant, perverse, resistant, bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty, ill-bred, undisciplined, dissident, nonconformist, disrespectful, ill-mannered, impolite, impudent, insolent, rude, contrary, contumacious, disobedient, froward, incompliant, insubordinate, intractable, noncompliant, obstreperous, rebel, rebellious, recalcitrant, refractory, restive, unamenable, ungovernable, unruly, untoward, wayward, willful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Obsequious

The most common words with a similar meaning to Obsequious:

fawning, kowtowing, obeisant, servile, slavish, subordinate, subservient, amenable, biddable, compliant, conformable, docile, law-abiding, obedient, submissive, tractable, acquiescent, agreeable, amiable, duteous, dutiful, obliging, placable, soft, surrendering, yielding, decorous, disciplined, mannerly, orderly, constrained, curbed, inhibited, repressed, restrained, controllable, disciplinable, governable, handleable, manageable

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Obsequious

Words with the opposite meaning of Obsequious:

insurgent, mutinous, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, mulish, obdurate, obstinate, peevish, pigheaded, self-willed, stubborn, unyielding, uncontrollable, unmanageable, wild, balky, defiant, perverse, resistant, bad, disorderly, errant, misbehaving, mischievous, naughty, ill-bred, undisciplined, dissident, nonconformist

Word Forms of Obsequious

Derived words: obsequiously (adverb), obsequiousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Obsequious

Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow ob-, sue

First known use: 1602

Frequently Asked Questions about Obsequious

What does "Obsequious" mean?

"Obsequious" means marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness.

What is another word for "Obsequious"?

Other words for "Obsequious" include fawning, kowtowing, obeisant, servile, slavish, subordinate, subservient and amenable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Obsequious" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Obsequious"?

There are 46 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Obsequious". Common alternatives include fawning, kowtowing, obeisant, servile, slavish, subordinate, subservient, amenable, biddable and compliant.

What is the opposite of "Obsequious"?

Antonyms of "Obsequious" include insurgent, mutinous, dogged, hardheaded, headstrong, mulish, obdurate and obstinate.

How do you use "Obsequious" in a sentence?

Examples of "Obsequious" in a sentence: "She's constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to.".

Is "Obsequious" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Obsequious" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Obsequious"?

"Obsequious" is pronounced /əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs/ and divided into syllables as ob·se·qui·ous.

What is the origin of the word "Obsequious"?

"Obsequious" comes from Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow ob-, sue. First known use: 1602.