subservience
noun
sub·ser·vi·ence
səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s 
1
: a subservient or subordinate place or function
2
: obsequious servility
Examples of subservience in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Occasionally this has its benefits, as in 1793, when lusting after a lovable rogue (Barnard) can take her mind off crawling around in subservience as the wife of a gluttonous aristocrat (Nick Frost).
—
Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
In the long run, the work of the Society is ultimately not subservience to Whites, but the saving of Black lives.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
But even if Amorim’s assessment is correct, Brazil can gain support from the global North for Lula’s progressive vision only if his country maintains clear autonomy; any hint of subservience to China will draw Western backlash.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2024
In my view as a sociologist who studies race and ethnicity, part of the legal and systematic effort to maintain Black subservience was based in part on the white people’s fear that formerly enslaved Black people would be rebellious and unwilling to stay on the lower levels of society.
—Rodney Coates, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2024
Do the rewards associated with subservience outweigh the benefits associated with rapid economic development, which can only be realized with reliable, on-demand power-generation?
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
If only our politicians show sufficient hesitation, lack of conviction and subservience to Moscow, U.S. voters will love them.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2024
What some may see as subservience to power interests and shady, consistent avoidance of engaging with the public may be imagined by others as unorthodox tactfulness.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 2 May 2023
The blockade was already causing critical shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and other basic necessities—forcing Karabakh’s Armenians into a position of dependence and subservience.
—Alex Galitsky, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
Stephen Saito, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024
In the long run, the work of the Society is ultimately not subservience to Whites, but the saving of Black lives.
—Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2024
But even if Amorim’s assessment is correct, Brazil can gain support from the global North for Lula’s progressive vision only if his country maintains clear autonomy; any hint of subservience to China will draw Western backlash.
—Matias Spektor, Foreign Affairs, 28 Feb. 2024
In my view as a sociologist who studies race and ethnicity, part of the legal and systematic effort to maintain Black subservience was based in part on the white people’s fear that formerly enslaved Black people would be rebellious and unwilling to stay on the lower levels of society.
—Rodney Coates, The Conversation, 20 Feb. 2024
Do the rewards associated with subservience outweigh the benefits associated with rapid economic development, which can only be realized with reliable, on-demand power-generation?
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 18 Jan. 2024
If only our politicians show sufficient hesitation, lack of conviction and subservience to Moscow, U.S. voters will love them.
—Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, 11 Jan. 2024
What some may see as subservience to power interests and shady, consistent avoidance of engaging with the public may be imagined by others as unorthodox tactfulness.
—Tori Otten, The New Republic, 2 May 2023
The blockade was already causing critical shortages of food, medicine, fuel, and other basic necessities—forcing Karabakh’s Armenians into a position of dependence and subservience.
—Alex Galitsky, Time, 20 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subservience.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near subservience
Cite this Entry
“Subservience.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subservience. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subservience
noun
sub·ser·vi·ence
səb-ˈsər-vē-ən(t)s
1
: a subordinate place or function
2
: obedience befitting one of a menial position
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