obedience

[ oh-bee-dee-uhns ]

noun

1. the state or quality of being obedient.
2. the act or practice of obeying; dutiful or submissive compliance:

   Military service demands obedience from its members.

   Synonyms: subservience, deference, submission

3. a sphere of authority or jurisdiction, especially ecclesiastical.
4. Chiefly Ecclesiastical.
   1. conformity to a monastic rule or the authority of a religious superior, especially on the part of one who has vowed such conformance.
   2. the rule or authority that exacts such conformance.

obedience

/ əˈbiːdɪəns /

noun

1. the condition or quality of being obedient
2. the act or an instance of obeying; dutiful or submissive behaviour
3. the authority vested in a Church or similar body
4. the collective group of persons submitting to this authority See also passive obedience

Other Words From

• over·o·bedi·ence noun
• preo·bedi·ence noun
• super·o·bedi·ence noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of obedience¹

1150–1200; Middle English < Old French < Latin oboedientia. See obedient, -ence

Example Sentences

Timothy Snyder calls this "anticipatory obedience."

From Salon

As historian Timothy Snyder has been saying loud and clear, this is nothing but “obedience in advance,” giving up our power to an authoritarian that he needs to take control.

From Salon

An overarching theme here is that the moves by the Post and the LA Times reflect what Timothy Snyder, the author of “On Tyranny,” calls “anticipatory obedience.”

From Salon

Trump also reportedly wished that he could emulate Hitler in commanding total obedience from the military.

From Salon

On the same day as Kelly’s interview was published in The Times, The Atlantic dropped a bombshell report that includes anecdotes of Trump getting frustrated with the military’s lack of blind obedience during his time as president.

From Salon

Related Words

• acquiescence
• conformity
• deference
• orderliness
• reverence