Definitions
- Describing a person who is excessively eager to please and willing to do anything to gain favor or approval. - Referring to a subordinate or inferior position in a hierarchy or social structure. - Talking about a person who is willing to submit to the authority or control of another.
- Referring to a person who follows rules, orders, or instructions without question or resistance. - Describing a person who complies with authority or social norms. - Talking about a person who is respectful and compliant towards those in positions of power.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe a person's behavior towards authority or control.
- 2Both words imply compliance and submission.
- 3Both words can be used to describe a person's attitude towards rules or social norms.
What is the difference?
- 1Attitude: Subservient implies a more extreme willingness to please and gain approval than obedient.
- 2Hierarchy: Subservient implies a lower position in a hierarchy or social structure than obedient.
- 3Resistance: Subservient may involve a lack of resistance or questioning, while obedient may involve some level of questioning or negotiation.
- 4Connotation: Subservient has a negative connotation of being overly eager to please, while obedient has a neutral or positive connotation of following rules or authority.
- 5Usage: Subservient is less commonly used than obedient in everyday language.
Remember this!
Subservient and obedient both describe a person's behavior towards authority or control, but there are some differences between them. Subservient implies an extreme willingness to please and gain approval, often from a lower position in a hierarchy or social structure. On the other hand, obedient implies compliance with rules or authority, with a neutral or positive connotation. While obedient is more commonly used in everyday language, subservient has a negative connotation and is less frequently used.
