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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of obedience
Organizations spend around two years raising the dogs, guiding them through their puppy phase, teaching them basic obedience, socializing them and training them for specific service tasks.
—
Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
Their willingness stemmed from the pervasive atmosphere Green established, in which his approval hinged on complete obedience to his whims.
—Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Paul calls us to adopt Christ’s mind — marked by humility, self-emptying love, and obedience to God.
—Rev. Frank Alagna, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Some, like Columbia University, Amazon, and Paul, Weiss, have caved, choosing the path of obedience over principle.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Allana Haynes, Baltimore Sun, 22 Apr. 2025
Their willingness stemmed from the pervasive atmosphere Green established, in which his approval hinged on complete obedience to his whims.
—Air Mail, 3 May 2025
Paul calls us to adopt Christ’s mind — marked by humility, self-emptying love, and obedience to God.
—Rev. Frank Alagna, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2025
Some, like Columbia University, Amazon, and Paul, Weiss, have caved, choosing the path of obedience over principle.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for obedience
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obedience
Noun
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The clips went viral on social media ahead of the Season 7 premiere, and in response, Love Island fans vowed to vote her out once submissions opened through the show’s official app.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
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This can look like reassessing submission criteria, ensuring diverse representation on juries and panels, committing to transparent selection processes, and actively seeking out talent from a wide range of backgrounds and identities.—
Caterina De Biasio,
Vogue,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
The suit claimed the investigation was conducted in adherence with a new employment policy that was created just for her.—
Viola Flowers,
NBC news,
26 May 2025
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This adherence to industry standards helps organizations stay compliant and minimizes regulatory risks.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
24 May 2025
Noun
-
Most companies now have at least some security presence, whether driven by regulatory compliance or general employee awareness.—
Aditya Patel,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
-
Republican opinion remained remarkably stable, with 78 percent supporting compliance in May compared to 79 percent in December, even as Trump escalated his attacks on federal judges.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 May 2025
Noun
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The scene goes on at length, Fanny taking and twisting every one of her husband’s arguments into so many knots he is left tongue-tied, all opposition mute, all acquiescence complete.—
Natalie Jenner
May 6,
Literary Hub,
6 May 2025
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In a post-American Europe, Moscow would establish a patchwork of individual relationships with European countries, confronting some with territorial threats and gray-zone tactics (such as disinformation campaigns) and rewarding others for their acquiescence with cheap energy.—
Liana Fix,
Foreign Affairs,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
The Trump administration’s real agenda is the inspiration of fear and the inducement of conformity.—
George Liebmann,
Baltimore Sun,
21 May 2025
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In its order, the Court emphasized that there is a fundamental distinction between the question of acceptance by States of the Court’s jurisdiction and the conformity of their acts with international law.—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab,
Forbes.com,
5 May 2025
Noun
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Studies and industry observations have shown a correlation between how often a business owner or executive is seen in the media and their company’s revenue.—
Luca Brinkhues,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
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Each installment was a chance for a new joke, a new observation—about fashion, dating, public restrooms, artistic pretensions, being mistaken for a man—in an era when popular depictions of lesbian experience were rare.—
Charlie Tyson,
New Yorker,
4 June 2025
Noun
-
This card often arrives when a cycle of surrender is necessary.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 June 2025
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The earliest mechanisms for anonymous infant surrender debuted thousands of years ago in Europe.—
Time,
Time,
28 May 2025
Noun
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The Trump administration has greater political flexibility to make such an offer than did the Obama or Biden administrations, thanks to the Republican Party’s deference to Trump’s foreign policy initiatives.—
Richard Nephew,
Foreign Affairs,
26 May 2025
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The Vikings will play the Steelers in Ireland on Sept. 28, but not because of deference to the Vikings.—
Charley Walters,
Twin Cities,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obedience.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obedience. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
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