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

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

The Atlantic’s report also noted Trump saying he needs “the kind of generals Hitler had” after he grew frustrated with the U.S. military’s lack of blind obedience.

From Salon

The contagion and the moral disengagement it causes provokes cruelty and obedience.

From Salon

Related Words

• acquiescence
• conformity
• deference
• orderliness
• reverence