1
as in submission
a bending to the authority or control of another
the drill sergeant demanded complete and unquestioning obedience from the recruits
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in submissiveness
a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
the cowardly obedience with which the dictator's henchmen followed his every command
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law
expectations of strict obedience to the guidelines were soon dashed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of obedience
This approach often places a heavy emphasis on obedience and discipline, with little room for dialogue or compromise.
—
Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
His boundless energy is a standout trait, but, despite his high energy, Jerry balances it with obedience and a sweet nature.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments also reveal another dimension of compliance: the abdication of responsibility.
—Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
At school, we are praised for obedience and penalized for questioning authority.
—Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obedience 
Mark Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
His boundless energy is a standout trait, but, despite his high energy, Jerry balances it with obedience and a sweet nature.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Stanley Milgram’s obedience experiments also reveal another dimension of compliance: the abdication of responsibility.
—Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
At school, we are praised for obedience and penalized for questioning authority.
—Dr. Sunita Sah, TIME, 4 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
-
Picture show Claire Thomas A nonprofit publication called Rest of World received almost 230 submissions from 45 countries for its annual photo contest, which asked entrants to show the impact of technology in their communities.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Send submissions here and read more Metropolitan Diary here.—
James Barron,
New York Times,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In many Orthodox Jewish settings, by contrast, including the vast Haredi world, strict adherence to Torah and Jewish law has kept many closeted or unable to live openly in synagogue settings.—
Yonat Shimron,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Strict adherence to those requirements prevents the FBI from abusing its power.—
Barbara McQuade,
TIME,
31 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The filing also notes the company's compliance with regulatory requirements, including maintaining asset coverage ratios and adhering to RIC tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.—
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom,
Quartz,
7 Feb. 2025
-
Also at play: the imposition of conditions for approval of the transferal of the licenses, including commitment to promote viewpoint diversity and being placed on probation until compliance is evident.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
7 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Underlying these concerns was a sensation, sometimes expressed in anxious terms, sometimes in acquiescence, that the incoming waves of sprawl could irreversibly wash away the natural landscape and neighborly intimacy that have anchored the city for generations.—
Jaime Moore-Carrillo,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Feb. 2025
-
On the one hand, the Captain’s acquiescence to the in-house rules kept YES Network in the loop and provided the Yankees’ RSN with all the soundbites and on-camera appearances that are commensurate with superstar status.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The best part of the sketch isn’t its sly picture of Gen X’s slow fade into conformity, but Jason Sudeikis as the groom’s father who is unironically into the performance.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
11 Feb. 2025
-
But hamstrung, now, by rigid and top-down directives that prioritize ideological conformity over practical solutions, local politicians are ill equipped to tackle the mounting pressures of fiscal insolvency and unemployment.—
Jude Blanchette,
Foreign Affairs,
7 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Keith remains to a large degree elusive, but Magaro subtly gives us insight into what drives his artistry, which is then augmented by Watts’ observations, from a critic’s P.O.V., and those of Manfred, a protective friend and professional associate with a profound respect for Jarrett’s gifts.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
-
After the initial observations in March, a second observation campaign has been planned for May.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
That’s surrender — to the idea that this is a zero-sum war where one side must be erased for the other to survive.—
Hen Mazzig,
Sun Sentinel,
6 Feb. 2025
-
The message attached to the sword was a surrender tag.—
Kevin Chroust,
Outside Online,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The atmosphere of anticipation and reverence, this collective yearning, a combination of hope and deference, seemed liturgical in a way that connected all the human figures scattered across the acres.—
Nick Paumgarten,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
-
That is, their personal view of the way the world should be, with no deference to the Legislature and no regard for the victims of crime or the welfare of society.—
Timothy J. Cruz,
Boston Herald,
2 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near obedience
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share