Definitions

obsequious

[uhb-see-kwee-uhs] / əbˈsi kwi əs /

ADJECTIVE

groveling, submissive

Synonyms

WEAK

abject beggarly brown-nosing complacent compliable compliant cringing crouching deferential enslaved fawning flattering ingratiating kowtowing menial obeisant oily parasitic parasitical prostrate respectful servile slavish sneaking sniveling spineless stipendiary subject submissive subordinate subservient sycophantic toadying unctuous

Antonyms

WEAK

arrogant assertive brazen confident presumptuous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Landau may be a revered figure in the history of rock, but Mr. Cooper and Mr. Strong’s version of him reminded me of Paul Shaffer’s obsequious Artie Fufkin in “This Is Spinal Tap.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

Last month's Nato summit in The Hague was an exercise in obsequious courtship.

From BBC • Jul. 5, 2025

Does Moretti start knocking off Ariel’s colleagues because they’re too obsequious or not slavish enough?

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 2, 2025

Other actors make their characters’ relative lack of backstory work wonders, especially Dave Foley’s obsequious but effective Danish Graves, Lorraine’s devoted fixer blessed with one of the series’ best names.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2023

The man dares to meet Grandfather’s gaze with an obsequious grin.

From "An Ember in the Ashes" by Sabaa Tahir

Vocabulary lists containing obsequious

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