subservience
noun
sub·ser·vi·ence
səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 
1
: a subservient or subordinate place or function
2
: obsequious servility
Examples of subservience in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His is the first whose subservience to the prevailing darkness feels like a depressing surrender of identity.
—
Wesley Morris, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
The earmark of empire is the subservience of liberty to ultra-inflated national security fears to protect us from ghosts.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
Loyalty, obsequiousness and subservience to Harris is, but now his service has become an issue.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2024
In fact, this exact effect is part of the reason that so many Soviet-style autocrats—the kind Trump so admires— eventually fail: governments that run on political subservience get dragged down by the Peter Principle, like a sea monster sucking its victim into the icy depths.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subservience 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Wesley Morris, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
The earmark of empire is the subservience of liberty to ultra-inflated national security fears to protect us from ghosts.
—Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
Loyalty, obsequiousness and subservience to Harris is, but now his service has become an issue.
—Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 15 Aug. 2024
In fact, this exact effect is part of the reason that so many Soviet-style autocrats—the kind Trump so admires— eventually fail: governments that run on political subservience get dragged down by the Peter Principle, like a sea monster sucking its victim into the icy depths.
—Matt Robison, Newsweek, 20 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subservience
Dictionary Entries Near subservience
Cite this Entry
“Subservience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subservience. Accessed 6 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subservience
noun
sub·ser·vi·ence
səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s
1
: a subordinate place or function
2
: obedience befitting one of a menial position
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share