Trivia Time

Which phrase evokes obsequious behavior?

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obsequious

American  

[uhb-see-kwee-uhs] / əbˈsi kwi əs /

adjective

1. characterized by or showing servile obedience and excessive eagerness to please; fawning; ingratiating.

   an obsequious bow;

   obsequious servants.

   Synonyms:

   submissive, deferential, subservient, servile, oleaginous, flattering

2. obedient; dutiful.

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obsequious British  

/ əbˈsiːkwɪəs /

adjective

1. obedient or attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner

2. rare submissive or compliant

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Synonym Usage

See servile.

Other Word Forms

• obsequiousness
  noun
• overobsequious
  adjective
• unobsequious
  adjective
• obsequiously
  adverb
• overobsequiously
  adverb
• unobsequiously
  adverb

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Etymology

Origin of obsequious

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin obsequiōsus, equivalent to obsequi(um) “compliance,” derivative of obsequ(ī) “to comply with” (equivalent to ob- + sequī “to follow”) + -ium + -ōsus; see ob-, -ium, -ous

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Explanation

If you disapprove of the overly submissive way someone is acting — like the teacher's pet or a celebrity's assistant — call them by the formal adjective obsequious. There are many words in the English language for a person or an action that is overly obedient and submissive. Obsequious people are usually not being genuine; they resort to flattery and other fawning ways to stay in the good graces of authority figures. An obsequious person can be called a bootlicker, a brownnoser or a toady. You can also say that someone gives an obsequious bow, a gesture that means, "your wish is my command."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

obsequious

Participants rated sycophantic AI responses significantly higher in quality and, after interacting with a more obsequious model, said they were more likely to return to the AI.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026

It’s going to be this obsequious, bootlicking celebration of Alito’s brilliance.

From Slate ● Feb. 13, 2026

You need someone who has a large ego but will be obsequious.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 21, 2024

The humor laced through her lickspittles' obsequious efforts to placate her doesn’t quite dare you to laugh but isn’t going out of its way to encourage giggles either.

From Salon ● Mar. 10, 2024

And the speed with which doors opened straight to the Colonel, the obsequious respect of that officer, the words, “The Secretary will see you now, sir,” did not remove Adam’s feeling.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

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