WordGarden.iosubservience
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sʌbsˈɜːviəns/
US
- /səbˈsɜrviəns/
Meanings
Noun
excessive willingness to obey or serve someone seen as more powerful
Beyond the definition
Subservience is not just politeness; it is being too ready to obey or give in to someone else's wishes, even when that means ignoring your own needs or judgment. Imagine a loyal dog, eager to please its owner. That eagerness can cross the line if the dog responds to every whim without any will of its own. In the past, this kind of behavior was often expected from servants and slaves, but today we usually see it as unhealthy in relationships, whether personal or professional. A boss who expects unquestioning obedience is creating a culture of subservience.
Subservience describes an exaggerated willingness to obey others, often stemming from fear, insecurity, or a desire for approval. It goes beyond simple respect or politeness; it implies a yielding of one's own will and independence. Think of the story of Cinderella – her stepsisters demanded complete subservience from her, expecting her to cater to their every need without complaint.
The word carries historical weight, often linked to power imbalances like slavery or feudalism where obedience was enforced. However, it can also manifest in more subtle ways: a partner constantly deferring to the other's decisions, an employee afraid to voice concerns to their manager, or someone consistently prioritizing others' needs over their own well-being.
While healthy relationships involve compromise and consideration, subservience lacks balance. It suggests a lack of self-respect and can be damaging to both the person exhibiting it and the one receiving it. A leader who expects subservience from their team stifles creativity and innovation. True collaboration requires mutual respect, not blind obedience.
So, while being respectful is admirable, remember that subservience implies an unhealthy level of submission – a yielding of power and autonomy that can leave someone feeling diminished and controlled. It's about how you obey, not just that you do.
Examples
- 1
Workplace authority
The boss expected subservience from everyone in the office.
- 2
Politeness
She mistook politeness for subservience.
- 3
Family authority
Years of subservience to his older brother made it hard for him to speak up.
- Patternsubservience to + person/group
a habit of always giving in to them
- 4
Media politics
Critics accused the paper of subservience to the government.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- subservience to authority
- political subservience
- economic subservience
Word family
- subservient
- subserviently
Explore
- hierarchy
- power imbalance
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- subserviencenoun