i Register
In some senses, obsequious is marked as archaic, obsolete. Watch for register when choosing this word.
obsequious
/əbˈsiːkwi.əs/
adj 3
Collocations
5ADJ.
intended, known, slightest, uncomfortable
VERB + OBSEQUIOUS
lack
OBSEQUIOUS + NOUN
adoration, deference, dog, flattery, higher-ups, people, superiors, waiter
PREP.
towards
ADV.
always, usually
Definitions
adj
1
Excessively eager and attentive to please or to obey instructions; fawning, subservient, servile.
Personally I felt shy and uncomfortable at this obsequious adoration, and I read the same feeling in the faces of Lord John and Summerlee, but Challenger expanded like a flower in the sun.
Translation falls especially short of this conceit which carries the whole flamboyance of the Spanish language. It was intended as an obsequious flattery of the Condesa, and was untrue.
2
Obedient; compliant with someone else's orders or wishes.
Our ladies were situated as well as it was possible; they had good servants, splendid rooms, obsequious attendants, and had become habituated to the country, so that the loss of the Count was not any thing of moment beyond the pleasure of his society;[…]
3
Of or pertaining to obsequies, funereal.
[…] the ſuruiuer bound / In filliall obligation for ſome tearme To doe obſequious ſorrowe […]
Thesaurus
Synonyms
adjective — attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
- bootlicking
- fawning
- sycophantic
- toadyish
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
Personally I felt shy and uncomfortable at this obsequious adoration, and I read the same feeling in the faces of Lord John and Summerlee, but Challenger expanded like a flower in the sun.
Wiktionary02
Translation falls especially short of this conceit which carries the whole flamboyance of the Spanish language. It was intended as an obsequious flattery of the Condesa, and was untrue.
Wiktionary03
[S]he complained pettishly of the heat and the flies and at length of the walk, and reduced Robert to the antics of an obsequious dog.
Wiktionary04
The obsequious waiter is usually assigned the best table because he always curries favor with his manager and superiors.
Tatoeba · #5642205
Obsequious people make me feel uncomfortable.
Tatoeba · #441662406
He is obsequious to the higher-ups and arrogant towards his underlings.
Tatoeba · #4901160Usage Notes
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