subservience

noun

sub·​ser·​vi·​ence səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s How to pronounce subservience (audio)
1
: a subservient or subordinate place or function
2
: obsequious servility

Examples of subservience in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The role allowed Rossellini to embody subservience and authority through a reserved yet respectful demeanor. Clayton Davis, Variety, 1 Nov. 2024 Defeated and afraid, the leadership in Helsinki settled into a long period of uncritical neutrality toward, if not subservience to, the Kremlin. Jussi M. Hanhimäki, Foreign Affairs, 22 May 2024 Occasionally this has its benefits, as in 1793, when lusting after a lovable rogue (Barnard) can take her mind off crawling around in subservience as the wife of a gluttonous aristocrat (Nick Frost). Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 In the long run, the work of the Society is ultimately not subservience to Whites, but the saving of Black lives. Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subservience 

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1676, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of subservience was circa 1676

Dictionary Entries Near subservience

Cite this Entry

“Subservience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subservience. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

subservience

noun
sub·​ser·​vi·​ence səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s How to pronounce subservience (audio)
1
: a subordinate place or function
2
: obedience befitting one of a menial position

More from Merriam-Webster on subservience

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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