Obsequious


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When we say someone is obsequious we mean that they are too eager to help or agree with someone or to comply with their wishes; too eager to praise someone; exhibiting overly attentive or almost fawning behavior toward someone, to such an extent that it seems servile.

The adjective obsequious is always pejorative, or in other words deprecatory. We never consider being obsequious to be a
good thing.

A person who behaves obsequiously toward someone might be described as a toady, a suckup or kiss-up; or a brown-noser.

Similar words and near-synonyms are subservient, servile, ingratiating, and sycophantic.

The adverb form of obsequious is obsequiously.

Examples Of How to Use Obsequious In a Sentence:

“President Trump has often seemed obsequious toward Vladimir Putin.”

“One of the most well-known characters in American television history is Eddie Haskell from the show Leave it to Beaver, who was known for his outrageously obsequious behavior.”

“He’s surrounded by obsequious hangers-on vying for his attention. He seems to think these people are his true friends.”

“The food in the restaurant was good but the waiters were overly obsequious.”

“I think the most important thing is to be respectful to the judges but not obsequious.” — Rounders (1998)

“Job’s wife was my favorite character in the Bible, because she chose death rather than obsequious acceptance, like that masochist she married.” — Whatever Works (2009)

“I can’t believe you were so obsequious with that man.” “What does ”obsequious” mean?” “It means you had a high-ranking member of the Mafia in your office and you kissed his ass.” — The Big Easy (1987)

Shakespeare used the term obsequious in Othello, Act One, Scene One (~1603)

You shall mark
Many a duteous and knee-crooking knave
That, doting on his own obsequious bondage,
Wears out his time, much like his master’s ass,
or naught but provender, and when he’s old,
cashiered.

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