What does obsequious and servile mean?
adjective. If you describe someone as obsequious, you are criticizing them because they are too eager to help or agree with someone more important than them. [disapproval] Perhaps your mother was very obsequious to doctors. Synonyms: servile, flattering, cringing, fawning More Synonyms of obsequious.
Is obsequious positive or negative?
By the 1500s, however, the word had acquired its modern sense of being fawning and sycophantic, and it has decidedly negative connotations today. The term “obsequious” is often used to describe someone who is too eager to follow, obey, and serve.
Can you be obsequious?
Obsequious people are usually not being genuine; they resort to flattery and other fawning ways to stay in the good graces of authority figures. An obsequious person can be called a bootlicker, a brownnoser or a toady.
What does obsequious sycophant mean?
parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker. parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society. a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.
Is sycophant an insult?
Sycophant Sentence Examples Such gesture, directed towards an inoffensive person, became an insult, and the word sycophant might imply one who insulted another by bringing a frivolous or malicious accusation against him.
What word means in a sycophantic way?
parasite, sycophant, toady, leech, sponge mean a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker.
What is obduracy?
1a : stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing an unrepentant, obdurate sinner. b : hardened in feelings The obdurate enemy was merciless. 2 : resistant to persuasion or softening influences obdurate in his determination remaining obdurate to her husband’s advances— Edith Wharton.
