1
as in subordinate
very willing to obey someone else
She was an equal partner in the marriage and not a subservient wife.
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2
as in secondary
having a less important role, job, or place as something else
The employees used to build things by hand but now were subservient to automated equipment that handled much of production.
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Recent Examples of subservient
Why, Buren asked, should the artist accept this subservient role?
—
Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
For Liu, by contrast, the study of the classics seemed almost subservient to a process of cultural empowerment.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
This plan, during such a critical period, is nothing less than a dereliction of duty and a further sign of how the Congressional majority is content to be subservient to this administration.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Sometimes the humble may be seen as meek, subservient or self-abasing.
—Barret Michalec, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subservient
Daniel Birnbaum, Artforum, 2 Apr. 2026
For Liu, by contrast, the study of the classics seemed almost subservient to a process of cultural empowerment.
—Chang Che, New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2026
This plan, during such a critical period, is nothing less than a dereliction of duty and a further sign of how the Congressional majority is content to be subservient to this administration.
—The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 5 Mar. 2026
Sometimes the humble may be seen as meek, subservient or self-abasing.
—Barret Michalec, The Conversation, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for subservient
Recent Examples of Synonyms for subservient
Adjective
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Another amendment adopted to the bill sought to address multiuser accounts, chiefly by having parental and subordinate accounts.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
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The White House declined to comment on the allegations against former Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who stepped down last week after multiple allegations of abusing her position’s power, including having an affair with a subordinate and drinking alcohol on the job.—
Ana Ceballos
Follow,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Yet another secondary effect of the Iran war is the expansion of modern drone warfare to the Persian Gulf region.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
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The club wanted to offer the 37-year-old Polish striker reduced terms with a secondary role while Lewandowski was waiting to see what the club’s sporting directors would offer him.—
Laia Cervelló Herrero,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Just think of all those vacant Madonnas, structurally perfect compositions, and obedient daydreams of antiquity.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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Always obedient, Agnes happily welcomes Daisy despite Shu’s warnings.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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By shedding heavy shells like those seen in early nautiloids and ammonites, the ancestors of modern octopuses traded passive defense for active offense.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
24 Apr. 2026
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His playoff run showed an ability to generate quick wins if tackles are passive in setting to him.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Subservient.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/subservient. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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