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
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.
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 ● Mar. 9, 2025
Once, when he’s bitterly mocking his own obsequiousness to patrons, the miming heightens expression; otherwise, it’s superfluous.
From New York Times ● Sep. 21, 2022
Besides showing a general obsequiousness to the tech industry and an ignorance of people’s real financial problems, it’s worth thinking about the examples being set by Adams, Suarez, and their peers.
From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2021
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 ● Oct. 7, 2021
After that, as products of very different backgrounds they were continually scared stiff of hurting each other’s feelings; hence they understood and tolerated their respective foibles almost to the point of obsequiousness.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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.
