Vocabulary in context
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Obsequious
Fawningly attentive or compliant; excessively eager to please or obey, often to gain favor or advantage.
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Imagine This
There was once a toy factory where workers worked like slaves to earn an award. They worked too fast, and the assembly line went off sequence.
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Sounds Like
Ιb-SEE-kwee-uhs
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Looks Like
Looks like a long, formal adjective ending in -ous; contains the root sequ- as in sequence.
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Remember This
Obsequious comes from Latin obsequiosus meaning compliant; describes excessive flattery or servile obedience.
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Other Forms
obsequiousnessnoun
obsequiouslyadverb
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Connect With
subservient, servile, fawning, deferential, sycophant
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Note
Avoid using obsequious to describe genuine, respectful behavior; it implies manipulation or self-serving flattery rather than sincere deference.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The assistant's obsequious responses made the customers uneasy, as if she were parroting the manager's every word.
- His obsequious praise of the professor came across as insincere to the students.
Synonyms
servilesubmissivefawningtoadyishsubservient
Antonyms
assertiveindependentautonomous
Etymology
From Latin obsequiosus 'compliant, dutiful', from ob- 'toward' + sequ- 'to follow' (from Latin sequi).
Mnemonic
Think: OBSEQU-ious sounds like 'obey' and 'sequence' β always following in sequence to please others.
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Color
verbTo influence, affect, or alter (often in a subtle or indirect way).
Obliterate
verbTo wipe out; to erase completely or destroy utterly.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Abstruse
adjectiveDifficult to understand; obscure or highly complex.
Accidental
adjectiveHappening by chance or without deliberate planning; not intended. In music, it is also a noun for a symbol that temporarily alters a pitch.
Acerbic
adjectiveSharp or biting in tone or taste; caustic or mordant in manner.
Acquiescent
adjectiveReady to agree or approve without protest; compliant.
Adamant
adjectiveRigid in opinion or purpose; not willing to change one's mind or position.
Adept
adjectiveHaving or showing a high level of skill or proficiency; very capable.
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