What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
subservience
Example
The manager demanded subservience from his employees, expecting them to follow his orders without question. [subservience: noun]
Example
She lived a life of subservience to her husband, always putting his needs before her own. [subservience: noun]
obedience
Example
The children showed obedience to their parents by doing their homework before playing. [obedience: noun]
Example
The soldiers were trained to obey their commanding officer without hesitation. [obey: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obedience is more commonly used than subservience in everyday language. Obedience is a valued trait in many cultures and societies, while subservience can have negative connotations of weakness or lack of self-respect.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between subservience and obedience?
Both subservience and obedience can be used in formal and informal contexts, but subservience may be perceived as more formal due to its less common usage and negative connotations.
