sub
ser
vient
Comparative
more subservient
Superlative
most subservient
1
ready to obey others unquestioningly, especially those in authority
- His subservient assistant never challenged any of his unreasonable demands.
- The manager preferred subservient employees who would not question his decisions.
- She refused to be subservient to anyone, valuing her independence above all.
- The company cultivated a culture where junior staff were expected to be subservient.
- He spoke in a subservient tone, hoping to avoid conflict with his angry superior.
2
serving as a means, tool, or aid
- Technology should be subservient to human needs, not the other way around.
- Laws are subservient to the goal of justice.
- His arguments were subservient to the main point of the essay.
- The committee's work is subservient to the organization's mission.
- Resources must be subservient to the larger plan.
Synonyms:
3
behaving in a manner characteristic of a servant or slave
- The courtiers were subservient, bowing at every word of the king.
- She found his subservient attitude toward wealthy clients repulsive.
- He lived a subservient life under the oppressive regime.
- Subservient soldiers followed orders without question during the campaign.
- The character in the novel was portrayed as subservient to authority.
Synonyms:
4
subordinate or considered secondary in importance
- In the company's hierarchy, the administrative staff is often viewed as subservient to the executive team.
- The needs of the individual were made subservient to the goals of the collective in the community.
- Her opinions were often treated as subservient to those of her more experienced colleagues.
- The local government was largely subservient to the federal authorities in matters of national security.
- The assistant's role was clearly subservient to that of the manager, focusing mainly on support tasks.