Definitions
- Describing someone who is excessively obedient or submissive to authority. - Referring to behavior that is intended to please others or gain favor. - Talking about a person who is willing to do anything to avoid conflict or disapproval.
- Describing someone who is behaving in a humiliating or degrading manner to gain favor or forgiveness. - Referring to behavior that is excessively apologetic or submissive. - Talking about a person who is willing to do anything to avoid punishment or criticism.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe behavior that is submissive or overly obedient.
- 2Both words can be used to describe behavior that is intended to gain favor or avoid disapproval.
- 3Both words can have negative connotations when used to describe people.
What is the difference?
- 1Intensity: Groveling implies a more extreme level of submission or humiliation than servile.
- 2Action vs. Attitude: Servile describes a general attitude of obedience or submissiveness, while groveling describes a specific action or behavior.
- 3Purpose: Servile behavior may be motivated by a desire to please or gain favor, while groveling behavior is often motivated by fear or a desire to avoid punishment or criticism.
- 4Formality: Servile is a more formal word than groveling, which is often used in informal or colloquial contexts.
- 5Connotation: Servile can have neutral or positive connotations in certain contexts, such as describing a loyal employee, while groveling always has negative connotations.
Remember this!
Servile and groveling both describe behavior that is submissive or overly obedient. However, groveling implies a more extreme level of submission or humiliation than servile. Servile describes a general attitude of obedience or submissiveness, while groveling describes a specific action or behavior motivated by fear or a desire to avoid punishment or criticism. Additionally, servile can have neutral or positive connotations in certain contexts, while groveling always has negative connotations.
