subservience

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "subservience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an attitude of obsequious deference and obedience. For example, "The citizens of the country had been trained to show subservience to their leaders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In April his Fidesz party won its second consecutive two-thirds majority in parliament, and most of the media have been bullied into subservience.

The Guardian - Opinion

He pointed out that, even in 1899, labour-saving devices would considerably reduce the need for household labour, which suggested to him that people hired servants not to relieve themselves of tedious tasks, but to be provided with "conspicuous subservience".

The Economist

He spent the next quarter century defending his patriotism, arguing that he had acted in Poland's best interests while remaining realistic about its subservience to the Soviet Union.

The Economist

But none packs either his Salafist radicalism or his charisma.Mr Abu Ismail's heady mix of Islam and nationalism promises to "liberate" Egypt from subservience to Israel and the West.

The Economist

Mr Rudd had made this a central point of difference from the Howard government's subservience to President Bush's refusal to ratify.The Indonesia visit will also highlight Mr Rudd's talk of pursuing closer economic and humanitarian engagement with Australia's neighbourhood.

The Economist

The landowning families of Negros, mostly of Spanish stock, became rich, providing welfare for their sugar workers in return for subservience.

The Economist

In South Korea and Thailand, supervisors' subservience to politicians has impaired their ability to cope with the problems when they first appeared, before it was too late.

The Economist

In 1964, after attacking the shah's subservience to the United States, he was deported, spending the next 16 years in exile.Mr Moin describes and it is one of the few touches of humour in this excellent book how Khomeini got on rather well with his first hostess, the polite but flabbergasted wife of a Turkish security officer.

The Economist

But at last, purged of their dross, they appear in native lustre; and a whole people, taught by bitter experience, receives them with humility, and applies them in earnestness and faith.It must also be recollected, that there are certain periods or times in the application of truths, which are essential in their subservience to man's use.

The Economist

The return of hundreds of exiled clerics will have an effect, but not necessarily in favour of theocracy: those who spent years in Iran may have misgivings about using the Islamic Republic as a model.However, many Iraqi Shias, having chafed at centuries of political subservience to the Sunni minority, now excitedly identify an opportunity to impose their will.

The Economist

It fosters media subservience to the establishment.Still, the Asahi has been bolder than other papers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "subservience" when you want to emphasize a lack of independence and a willingness to submit to the will of another. Consider the connotation, as it often carries a negative judgment.

Common error

Avoid using "subservience" when you mean to describe respectful deference or willing cooperation. "Subservience" implies a loss of personal agency, while deference suggests voluntary yielding out of respect or agreement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "subservience" is as a noun. It denotes the state or condition of being subservient, indicating a lack of independence and a willingness to submit to the authority or will of another. As Ludwig AI suggests, this term is usable in written English and refers to an attitude of obsequious deference and obedience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "subservience" is a noun describing the state of being subordinate and excessively compliant. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, referring to an attitude of obsequious deference and obedience. It's frequently employed in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science, often to critique power imbalances. While grammatically correct and widely used, writers should be mindful of its negative connotations and avoid confusing it with respectful deference. Alternatives like "servility", "obsequiousness", and "deference" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts, depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

servility

Emphasizes excessive willingness to serve or obey others.

obsequiousness

Highlights fawning attentiveness and eagerness to please.

deference

Focuses on respect and yielding to another's judgment.

subordination

Stresses being placed in a lower rank or position.

submission

Implies yielding to authority or control.

compliance

Highlights conforming to rules or requests.

obedience

Focuses on following commands or instructions.

lack of autonomy

Emphasizes the absence of independence or self-governance.

dependence

Stresses reliance on another for support or direction.

enslavement

Implies being forced into servitude or bondage.

FAQs

How is "subservience" used in a sentence?

"Subservience" typically describes the state of being subordinate or excessively compliant. For example: "The media's "subservience to the government" was a cause for concern."

What are some alternatives to "subservience"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "servility", "obsequiousness", or "deference".

What is the difference between "subservience" and "obedience"?

"Obedience" refers to following commands or rules, while "subservience" implies a more profound lack of independence and a willingness to submit completely to another's will. Subservience is a state of being, while obedience is an act.

When is it appropriate to use "subservience" in writing?

Use "subservience" when you want to convey a sense of excessive compliance, often negatively, where someone has relinquished their autonomy to another. For instance, you might describe a political system as exhibiting "subservience to foreign powers".