subservient

[suhb-sur-vee-uhnt]

adjective

1. serving or acting in a subordinate capacity; subordinate.

2. excessively submissive; servile; obsequious.

   subservient persons;

   subservient conduct.

3. useful in promoting a purpose or end.

subservient

/ səbˈsɜːvɪənt /

adjective

1. obsequious in behaviour or attitude

2. serving as a means to an end

3. a less common word for subordinate

Other Word Forms

• subserviently adverb
• subservience noun
• subserviency noun
• unsubservient adjective
• unsubserviently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of subservient¹

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin subservient- (stem of subserviēns, present participle of subservīre “to serve as a subordinate”; subserve ), equivalent to sub- prefix meaning “under, below, beneath, etc.” + servi-, stem of servīre “to serve” + -ent noun and adjective suffix; sub-, serve, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of subservient¹

C17: from Latin subserviēns complying with, from subservīre to _subserve

Example Sentences

Political leaders who have made their central banks subservient to their own policies have almost invariably learned the consequences the hard way, as economists across the economic spectrum observe.

From Los Angeles Times

Chief among them was Delilah Johnson, the subservient Black maid portrayed by Beavers in the 1934 film “Imitation of Life.”

From Los Angeles Times

“However, it has become clear that truth and transparency are not desired by the Secretary, but rather he wishes subservient confirmation of his misinformation and lies.”

From Los Angeles Times

"But he certainly does not want to come across as subservient."

From BBC

"We have a very subservient U.S. Congress, led by Republicans that, quite frankly, are not exercising their authority as a coequal branch of government in holding this White House accountable," Veasey said.

From Salon

Related Words

• deferential 
• submissive