obedience

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "obedience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of obeying someone, a set of rules, or orders. For example: "The soldier showed great obedience to his superior officers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"At times it is appropriate to refrain from performing certain acts of obedience," he said, "in order to avoid the hardships of others".

The Guardian - Arts

In punishing Badawi now, the Saudis emphasise that much more obedience is expected of Muslims by Muslims than is being asked of westerners.

The Guardian - Opinion

Someone once said that one of the advantages of religion is that it offers security in return for obedience.

The Guardian - Tech

For parents, immediate obedience from their children is likely to be considered a good thing, but surely most parents would prefer to raise children capable of judging which behaviours are appropriate in any given situation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Things go south when the quasi-mythical Euro gangster known only as "Big Vern" (Werner Herzog) turns up in Walford, asking for an explanation in an icy manner that suggests he knows only absolute obedience.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Born in the north-western Indian coastal state of Gujarat, at school Jayaben rejected passive obedience in favour of active support for Indian independence.

The Guardian

The purpose of education is to ensure social obedience to the ruler".Sometimes the requirements of the state are more clearly seen in what textbooks leave out.

The Economist

Saudi officials argue that jihadists are deviants; the Saudi version of Islam, though puritanical, requires obedience to the ruler.

The Economist

For Christians, he suggested, God could not be other than reasonable, and He could never bless violence as a way of compelling people's obedience.

The Economist

It is based on IDF cyberwarfare technologies that developers first used as soldiers.Traditional armies drill unquestioning obedience into their grunts.

The Economist

Not to be outdone by Illinois skunk-racing, Wisconsin this year introduced the canine musical free-style competition, "a blend of dog obedience and dance moves performed to music".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the concept of "obedience", consider the ethical implications and whether it is blind or reasoned. Differentiate between positive obedience, which fosters cooperation and order, and negative obedience, which can lead to harm when following unethical directives.

Common error

Avoid using "obedience" when the intended meaning is excessive submission or subservience. "Obedience" implies following legitimate authority, while subservience suggests a degrading level of submission. Ensure that your word choice accurately reflects the degree of autonomy involved.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obedience" is as a noun. It refers to the act or state of obeying, or the quality of being obedient. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in various contexts, such as religious contexts or referring to children's behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obedience" functions as a noun signifying the act of obeying or the quality of being obedient. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It's a frequently used term, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science. When using "obedience", consider alternatives like "compliance" or "submission" to convey subtle differences in meaning. Remember to use "obedience to" rather than "obedience for". As the examples illustrate, it's crucial to consider the ethical implications and whether the "obedience" is blind or reasoned. With a high expert rating, "obedience" is deemed reliable and applicable in diverse scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compliance

Replaces "obedience" with a term emphasizing adherence to rules or requests.

submission

Conveys a yielding to authority, similar to "obedience" but can imply a loss of autonomy.

deference

Suggests respect and courteous regard for someone's wishes or authority.

subordination

Highlights the act of placing oneself under the authority or control of another.

observance

Focuses on following rules, laws, or customs.

adherence

Emphasizes sticking firmly to a particular belief, principle, or practice.

dutifulness

Highlights a sense of obligation and responsibility in following orders or rules.

loyalty

Implies faithfulness and dedication, often to a person, group, or cause, influencing one's "obedience".

discipline

Refers to training oneself to follow rules and orders, leading to "obedience".

acquiescence

Implies reluctant acceptance without protest, a form of passive "obedience".

FAQs

How to use "obedience" in a sentence?

You can use "obedience" to describe the act of following rules or commands, as in, "The dog's "obedience training" was very successful" or "The company expects strict "obedience to the rules"".

What can I say instead of "obedience"?

Alternatives to "obedience" include "compliance", "submission", "deference", or "adherence", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Which is correct, "obedience to" or "obedience for"?

"Obedience" typically takes the preposition "to", as in "obedience to the law" or "obedience to authority". "Obedience for" is not grammatically standard.

What's the difference between "obedience" and "compliance"?

"Obedience" generally implies following a direct command or authority, while "compliance" refers to conforming to a rule, standard, or request. "Obedience" can suggest a more hierarchical relationship, whereas "compliance" may involve a more general alignment with regulations.