subservient

USAGE SUMMARY

'subservient' is a valid and commonly used word in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that is excessively obedient or compliant to the will of another. Example sentence: The subservient employee always followed her boss's instructions without question.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As for the David Davis for Freedom campaign: when claiming he is defending "British justice", Davis forgets that as a whip in John Major's government he helped push through the unpopular 1993 Maastricht treaty that made British law largely subservient to European law.

The Guardian - Opinion

It tells the story of the shifting balance of power between an apparently dominant butterfly professor called Cynthia (played by Sidse Babett Knudsen, the Danish PM in Borgen) and her lover Evelyn, a quakingly subservient maid (Chiara D'Anna).

The Guardian - Film

This meant that the country had no claim to any independent identity whatsoever, but was as subservient to Parisian government as Burgundy or Alsace-Lorraine.

The Guardian

Her grandparents forbade her to look down at her shoes or make subservient gestures when talking to white people.

The Guardian - Books

Similarly subservient, Britain had already sent David Cameron and Prince Charles.

The Guardian

We've seen Inge be an independent firebrand so her return to meek subservient daughter is a bit hard to credit but she hands the child over and marries the dreadful Didrich, quickly becoming pregnant again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Samuel Smiles, author (1812 1904), Thrift (1875)"Capitalism knows only one colour: that colour is green; all else is necessarily subservient to it, hence, race, gender and ethnicity cannot be considered within it".

The Economist

It also makes Hamas more dependent on and subservient to Israel, to ensure vital supplies continue.

The Economist

In the alliance of umara and ulama (princes and scholars), the princes have the upper hand while the subservient scholars are left to police social morality.For a while, it worked.

The Economist

This makes Iran's presidents in effect subservient, particularly in foreign policy and specifically on the nuclear issue, to the will of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has held the rahbar's office since the death of his predecessor, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989.Such restraints are not the only ones that will curb the powers of Iran's next president.

The Economist

The wife will, of course, always be subservient.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing power dynamics, select "subservient" only if the entity's lower status significantly affects its independence and decision-making.

Common error

Avoid using "subservient" when describing typical hierarchical structures without undue influence or oppression. Words like “subordinate” or “reporting to” may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "subservient" primarily functions to describe a noun (person, entity, or concept) that is excessively compliant, subordinate, or obedient. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. The examples demonstrate its function in describing relationships where one party is under the control or influence of another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "subservient" is frequently used to describe something or someone excessively compliant or subordinate. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the word is valid and appears most commonly in news and media contexts, with secondary usage in formal business and scientific writing. When using "subservient", be mindful of the potentially negative connotations and ensure that it accurately reflects the power dynamics at play.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

submissive

Indicates a willingness to yield to the authority or desires of others.

compliant

Signifies readiness to conform to requirements or demands.

obedient

Implies adherence to instructions or commands.

obsequious

Implies excessive flattery or servility, often for self-serving purposes.

servile

Suggests a lack of independence and an excessive willingness to serve others.

deferential

Suggests respect and yielding to another's judgment or authority.

subordinate

Indicates a lower rank or position in relation to another.

dependent

Highlights reliance on someone or something else for support or control.

yielding

Implies a willingness to give way to pressure or influence.

acquiescent

Suggests tacit acceptance or agreement without protest.

FAQs

How can I use "subservient" in a sentence?

You can use "subservient" to describe someone or something that is excessively willing to obey others. For example, "The media was accused of being "subservient" to the government."

What words can I use instead of "subservient"?

Alternatives to "subservient" include "submissive", "deferential", or "obedient", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "subservient to" someone else?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say someone is "subservient to" someone else. This indicates that the first person is in a subordinate or excessively compliant position in relation to the second.

What's the difference between "subservient" and "submissive"?

"Subservient" implies a higher degree of compliance and a lower level of independence than "submissive". While both suggest yielding to authority, "subservient" often carries a connotation of excessive servility.