WordValeobsequious
excessively eager to please
In more detail
1. (adjective) showing too much eagerness to please or obey someone in authority; excessively polite or respectful in a way that seems insincere or servile
Examples
- 1. The obsequious waiter followed the wealthy customer's every command without question.
How to use obsequious
Obsequious describes behavior that is excessively eager to please, typically directed toward someone of higher status or power. It carries a distinctly negative connotation, implying insincerity and servility, whereas deferential can be neutral or respectful. Use it when describing someone who fawns, flatters excessively, or shows an unseemly lack of self-respect.
Common phrases
- obsequious manner
- obsequious behavior
- obsequious tone
- obsequious flattery
- obsequious to authority
Synonyms
servile · sycophantic · fawning · obsequent · deferential
Opposites
assertive · defiant · disrespectful
Word family
obsequiously · obsequiousness · obsequiousness
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use obsequious as a neutral synonym for 'polite' or 'respectful,' but it always implies an excessive, off-putting eagerness that damages credibility.
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