obsequiousness
Americannoun
Usage
What is obsequiousness? Obsequiousness is the act of making your wishes secondary to someone else’s wishes, as in The loyal butler was noted for his undying obsequiousness to his employer.Obsequiousness describes a situation in which a person obediently serves someone else and is eager to please them.Obsequiousness is not a commonly used word. People instead use words with similar meanings (and easier spellings), such as devotion, veneration, deference, or submission.The word obsequiousness comes from the adjective obsequious, which describes someone demonstrating obedience and eagerness to please, as in The duchess had a team of obsequious servants.Example: Selvon’s obsequiousness to the decadent earl ensured his long employment as a butler.
Other Word Forms
- overobsequiousness noun
- unobsequiousness noun
Etymology
Origin of obsequiousness
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I would assume that some of them will gain his favor with elaborate obsequiousness and flamboyant flattery.
From Salon
In response to her party's obsequiousness, Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania said recently, "There is no poll result that could make me turn on marginalized people."
From Salon
In the beginning of the ’90s, when he’s hit with the steroid scandal and other scandals, his response is this little bit of obsequiousness.
From Los Angeles Times
Once, when he’s bitterly mocking his own obsequiousness to patrons, the miming heightens expression; otherwise, it’s superfluous.
From New York Times
Populating the novel is the usual cast of characters, foremost among them the cop shop’s inimitable secretary, Agatino Catarella, who blends obsequiousness, prudery and verbal ineptitude into a patois all his own.
From Washington Post
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
