Meaning & use

obedient

adjective·Everyday

Willing to do what one is told or to follow rules, especially by an authority.

See it in a sentence

The obedient dog sat quietly by the door until its owner gave the command to move.

Employees who remain obedient to unreasonable demands may struggle to voice their own concerns later.

A note on using this word

Obedient usually describes following rules or instructions willingly, unlike submissive, which can imply a lack of will of one's own.

Words with a similar meaning

compliantdutifulsubmissive

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

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