obsequious

/əb'si:kwiəs/

Học thuật

Thân thiện

The obsequious waiter bowed deeply while presenting the menu.

Definition

Adjective:
- Excessively obedient or attentive in a way that seeks favor or approval: Describes behavior that is overly eager to please, often in a subservient or fawning manner, typically toward someone perceived as powerful or important.
- Characterized by or showing servile compliance; fawning: Implies a lack of dignity or self-respect in the effort to flatter or yield to another.

Usage and Examples

General Usage:
- The obsequious waiter hovered by the table, anticipating every need before it was spoken.
- Her obsequious praise of the manager's ideas was transparent and made her colleagues uncomfortable.
Describing Behavior:
- He was obsequious to his superiors but dismissive to his subordinates.
- The courtier's obsequious manner was designed to win the king's favor.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

Sociological/Psychological Context: The term often carries a strong negative connotation, criticizing not just the behavior but the perceived insincerity and lack of integrity behind it. It suggests the person is motivated by self-interest rather than genuine respect.
- The culture of fear in the corporation bred obsequious behavior among junior staff.
Literary/Descriptive Use: Used to paint a vivid, critical portrait of a character's subservience.
- The villain was surrounded by obsequious henchmen who hung on his every word.

Variants and Related Words

Obsequiously (adverb): In an obsequious manner.
- He nodded obsequiously throughout the entire lecture.
Obsequiousness (noun): The quality or state of being obsequious.
- Her promotion was not due to talent but to sheer obsequiousness.

Synonyms

Servile: Abjectly submissive; lacking independence (e.g., ).
Sycophantic: Behaving or done in an obsequious way to gain advantage (e.g., ).
Fawning: Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection (e.g., ).
Toadying: Acting in an obsequious way (similar to "sycophantic," slightly more informal).
Subservient: Prepared to obey others unquestioningly (less focused on the flattery aspect).

Antonyms

Assertive: Having or showing a confident and forceful personality.
Independent: Free from outside control; not depending on another's authority.
Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.

Idiomatic Expressions and Phrases

"Bowing and scraping": This idiom vividly describes obsequious behavior, implying deep, repeated bows and excessive, servile respect.
- He was tired of all the bowing and scraping expected at the royal court.
"Kowtowing to someone": To act in an obsequious manner towards someone. (Derived from the Chinese act of deep respect shown by kneeling and touching the head to the ground).
- The politician was accused of kowtowing to wealthy donors.

The obsequious waiter bowed deeply while presenting the menu.

Adjective

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