Obsequious: Excessive Flattery and Submissiveness
Introduction:
Have you ever encountered someone who excessively flatters or agrees with others, often to gain favor or avoid conflict? That behavior can be described as obsequious. This word paints a vivid picture of someone who is overly eager to please, often at the expense of their own authenticity or dignity.
In this blog, we’ll unpack the meaning, pronunciation, origins, and practical uses of obsequious, and provide examples to help you incorporate this intriguing term into your vocabulary.
What Does ”Obsequious” Mean?
Obsequious refers to showing excessive willingness to serve, flatter, or obey someone, often in a way that seems insincere or overly submissive.
Pronunciation:
- /əb-ˈsiː-kwi-əs/
Part of Speech:
Obsequious is an adjective, used to describe someone’s overly deferential or ingratiating behavior.
| Synonyms: | Antonyms: |
| Submissive,Fawning,Servile | Assertive,Independent,Confident |
How to Use “Obsequious” in a Sentence
- The intern’s obsequious behavior made her intentions to win favor painfully obvious.
- He disliked obsequious flattery and preferred honest feedback from his team.
- The customer service agent was helpful without being obsequious, striking the right balance.
Origins of the Word
The word obsequious originates from the Latin term obsequiosus, which stems from obsequi, meaning “to comply” or “to follow.” Its roots highlight the idea of eager submission or compliance, often to a fault.
Common Phrases with “Obsequious”
- Obsequious behavior – Excessively submissive or flattering actions.
- Obsequious flattery – Over-the-top compliments designed to win favor.
- Obsequious follower – Someone who blindly follows or agrees with others to please them.
Practice Using “Obsequious”
To practice using obsequious, try these exercises:
- Describe a character in a book, movie, or real life whose behavior could be called obsequious.
- Replace simpler terms like “overly submissive” or “fawning” with obsequious in your writing for a more precise expression.
Example:
Before: She acted overly submissive, agreeing with everything he said.
After: She acted obsequious, agreeing with everything he said to win his approval.
Conclusion
The word obsequious is a sharp and descriptive term for behavior that goes beyond simple politeness into the realm of excessive submission and flattery. While it’s important to be agreeable and respectful, being obsequious can come off as insincere or manipulative.
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Happy learning!
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