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Meaning & use

obsequiously

adverb·Advanceddisapprovingformal

Last updated

UK/əbˈsiːkwiəsli/
US/əbˈsiːkwiəsli/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meaning

  1. adverbnot comparable

    In a way that shows too much eagerness to please or obey a more powerful person, usually to win their favor.

    Grammar: Modifies a verb: he bowed obsequiously.

    Patterns

    • behave obsequiously
    • smile obsequiously at someone

    The assistant laughed obsequiously at every one of the director's weak jokes.

    He bowed obsequiously as the minister walked past.

    The waiter hovered obsequiously around the wealthy guests, refilling glasses before they were half empty.

Common combinations

smile obsequiously
The salesman smiled obsequiously and offered us a free upgrade.
bow obsequiously
The courtiers bowed obsequiously whenever the king entered.
fawn obsequiously
Reporters fawned obsequiously over the celebrity guest.
agree obsequiously
He agreed obsequiously with everything his boss suggested.
flatter obsequiously
She flattered the judge obsequiously before making her request.

Synonyms and how they differ

servilely
Servilely stresses a slave-like lack of dignity, while obsequiously stresses the eager flattery used to gain favor.
sycophantically
Sycophantically focuses on praising powerful people for personal gain, and is a little more about speech than obsequiously.
fawningly
Fawningly is plainer and more common, and suggests gushing attention rather than the bowing, deferential manner of obsequiously.
submissively
Submissively can be neutral or even sympathetic, whereas obsequiously always criticizes the motive.

Opposites

assertivelydefiantly

Word family

obsequious adjective
too eager to please or obey
obsequiousness noun
the quality of being overly eager to please

Commonly confused: obsequiously or obliviously?

obsequiously vs obliviously

Obliviously means without noticing something; it has nothing to do with flattery, though the two words look somewhat alike.

Practice

The new intern praised every idea the manager had, nodding ______ even when the ideas were clearly flawed.

Make it your own

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