Meaning & use

obsequiously

adverb·Advanced

In a manner that is excessively eager to please, obey, or flatter someone.

See it in a sentence

The waiter bowed obsequiously, hoping for a larger tip from the wealthy guests.

He agreed obsequiously with everything his boss said, even when she was clearly wrong.

A note on using this word

Obsequiously carries a negative tone, suggesting insincere flattery rather than genuine helpfulness or respect.

Words with a similar meaning

servilelyfawningly

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

Words with an opposite meaning

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “obsequiously”, then compare your use with the examples above.

Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.