obedient

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'obedient' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who readily complies with the orders of others. For example, "The obedient student followed the teacher's instructions without question."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

General Use

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We've got a real dog, Mojo, who is very obedient, and a wonderful dog, a mongrel, but CGI work will be done.

The Guardian - Film

After promising to look into an NHS trial in England of the prince's favoured complementary medicines, the current hot contender for Labour leadership gushed, as per Debrett's advice: "I have the honour to remain, Sir, your Royal Highness's most humble and obedient servant".

The Guardian

Perhaps you non-teacher teachers can create a new generation of fat, fundamentalist, obedient, well-informed, unemployed long-term debtors.

The Guardian

So you will see, dear reader, having a wonderful time and following your own heart doesn't pay and you must therefore be very obedient to the men in your household".

The Guardian

Less so, surely, than if the comedian had made it before the deadline for voter registration; presumably his most obedient fans, heeding his earlier advice not to vote, declined the now-expired chance to register.

The Economist

Whereas TNK-BP's former private shareholders had to rely on the capital markets, Mr Sechin has the backing of the state and its obedient banks.

The Economist

They are willing themselves into the kind of obedient hysteria they were meant to have left behind generations ago in the badlands of Asia, along with hunger and snakes.

The Economist

How do you spell 'sorry'?" snapped his interrogator.Your obedient servantThe Chinese did not kill him.

The Economist

Under Mr Saakashvili, courts were obedient and the police acted as an arm of the party, not as an independent institution.

The Economist

It is a pageant of intriguing characters, odd dependencies, latent racism, obedient state servants, dodgy KGB officers and a corrupt society.

The Economist

Mira did most of the talking, while Milosevic sat and nodded, like a docile and obedient husband, she recalled, when our correspondent interviewed her for his biography of Milosevic.The farcical scenes soon turned to tragedy when Yugoslavia collapsed into war in the summer of 1991.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "obedient" to describe a consistent pattern of following instructions or rules, rather than a one-time action. For example, 'The dog is generally obedient to commands' implies consistent behavior.

Common error

While "obedient" is generally acceptable, be mindful of its potential connotations of subservience, especially in professional settings. Alternatives like "compliant" or "cooperative" may be more suitable to convey teamwork and adherence to guidelines without implying a hierarchical dynamic.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "obedient" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing a quality of being willing to comply with the rules, orders, or requests of those in authority. As Ludwig showcases, it commonly describes people or animals that readily follow instructions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

12.5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6.25%

Wiki

3.125%

Social Media

3.125%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "obedient" functions as an adjective that describes a willingness to comply with authority. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, predominantly in news and media sources. While generally acceptable, be mindful of context, as alternatives like "compliant" may be preferable in professional settings to avoid connotations of subservience. The expert rating considers its grammatical accuracy, authoritative sourcing, and consistent usage. While "obedient" is a common and useful word, remember to consider the subtle differences in meaning when choosing between synonyms. You can replace "obedient" with alternatives such as "compliant", "dutiful" or "submissive".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compliant

Emphasizes willingness to adhere to requests or demands, often in a more passive manner.

dutiful

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

submissive

Suggests a yielding attitude, often implying a power dynamic where one defers to another's authority.

docile

Implies being easily managed or trained, often used for animals or those perceived as lacking assertiveness.

amenable

Indicates a willingness to agree or cooperate, often in a business or professional setting.

tractable

Describes someone easily led or controlled, suggesting a lack of resistance to influence.

manageable

Focuses on the ease with which someone can be controlled or directed, often in a practical sense.

acquiescent

Highlights a tendency to accept something passively without protest, even if reluctantly.

deferential

Emphasizes respect and polite submission to the opinions or judgments of others.

law-abiding

Specifically refers to adhering to laws and regulations, highlighting civic responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "obedient" in a sentence?

You can use "obedient" to describe someone or something that follows instructions or rules. For example, "The "obedient dog" sat on command" or "The students were "obedient to the rules"".

What are some synonyms for "obedient"?

Synonyms for "obedient" include "compliant", "dutiful", "submissive", and "docile". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "obedient" and "compliant"?

"Obedient" implies a willingness to follow orders from a position of authority, while ""compliant"" suggests a more general willingness to conform to requests or standards, without necessarily implying a power dynamic.

Is it better to be "obedient" or "independent"?

Neither is inherently better; it depends on the context. In situations requiring teamwork and following instructions, being "obedient" can be beneficial. In situations requiring critical thinking and innovation, being "independent" is more valuable.