obsequious

adjective

ob·​se·​qui·​ous əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs How to pronounce obsequious (audio)
äb-
: marked by or exhibiting a fawning attentiveness
obsequiously adverb
obsequiousness noun

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Follow Along With the Definition of Obsequious

According to the origin of the word, an obsequious person is more likely to be a follower than a leader. The word comes from Latin sequi, meaning "to follow"; the prefix ob- means "toward."

Examples of obsequious in a Sentence

But the Democratic presidential nominee is commonly referred to as Elvis, and his running mate as Eddie Haskell, that obsequious weenie from '50s TV. Guy Trebay, Village Voice, 28 July 1992
He could wear an oxford shirt and necktie and speak the local language, in every sense, and never act obsequious or look as though he felt out of place. Tracy Kidder, New England Monthly, April 1990
The obsequious villagers touched their caps but sneered behind her back. "George Sand," 1980, in V. S. Pritchett: A Man of Letters1985
Nash's other hand flashed forward a lighter with the obsequious speed of a motor salesman. Ian Fleming, From Russia, With Love, 1957
She's constantly followed by obsequious assistants who will do anything she tells them to.
Recent Examples on the Web Macfadyen has been celebrated for his work as the scheming, obsequious Tom in Succession, for which he’s won two Emmys. James Hibberd, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Feb. 2024 What was most startling about Tucker Carlson’s recent trip to Russia wasn’t his obsequious interview with Vladimir Putin but his gushing days afterward over how wonderful a place Moscow is. Paul Krugman, The Mercury News, 22 Feb. 2024 Before the trip to Chelyabinsk, Putin was already riding high off an obsequious interview last week with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson. Catherine Belton, Washington Post, 17 Feb. 2024 Vivek Ramaswamy went to the other extreme, ran as an obsequious toady to Trump, and dropped out of Iowa after finishing with 7.7 percent of the vote, double digits behind both DeSantis and Haley. Dan McLaughlin, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024 The physical exuberance includes a scene in which two obsequious servants (Josh Lucas and Alex Mills) give the Wife a manicure and spa session — each touch of a makeup brush or emery board as ebullient as a dance step. Celia Wren, Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2023 The world desperately needs to phase out fossil fuels as quickly as possible, but this obsequious draft reads as if OPEC dictated it word for word. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 12 Dec. 2023 The handsome, amiable, silver-haired host was never obsequious or condescending to his contestants, always enthusiastic and warm. Carmel Dagan, Variety, 26 Aug. 2023 An obsequious Forbes profile from 2015 captures the initial hype surrounding Ramaswamy’s Axovant IPO. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 14 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'obsequious.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, compliant, from Latin obsequiosus, from obsequium compliance, from obsequi to comply, from ob- toward + sequi to follow — more at ob-, sue

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of obsequious was in 1602

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Cite this Entry

“Obsequious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/obsequious. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

obsequious

adjective
ob·​se·​qui·​ous əb-ˈsē-kwē-əs How to pronounce obsequious (audio)
äb-
: ready or prompt to help or obey like a servant or slave at the wish or command of another person especially to gain favor

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