Servile
adjective
Showing readiness to serve or please others; eager to obey.
He bowed low in a servile manner
Often appears as...
- servile obedience
- servile manner
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Of or relating to servitude or forced labor.
They were living in servile conditions
Often appears as...
- servile labor
- servile conditions
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
adjective
Showing readiness to serve or please others; eager to obey.
He bowed low in a servile manner
Often appears as...
- servile obedience
- servile manner
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
adjective
Of or relating to servitude or forced labor.
They were living in servile conditions
Often appears as...
- servile labor
- servile conditions
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Academic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often implies the person is too eager to help, showing low self-esteem or low social status.
Her servile compliance with every request made people doubt her authority.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Flattering
Being described as 'servile' is usually not a compliment, suggesting lack of dignity or spine.
His colleagues disliked his servile nature as it seemed like pandering.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Used in contexts where there is an imbalance of power, such as between a boss and an employee.
She had a servile approach when speaking to her superiors, never challenging them.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often implies the person is too eager to help, showing low self-esteem or low social status.
Her servile compliance with every request made people doubt her authority.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Flattering
Being described as 'servile' is usually not a compliment, suggesting lack of dignity or spine.
His colleagues disliked his servile nature as it seemed like pandering.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Used in contexts where there is an imbalance of power, such as between a boss and an employee.
She had a servile approach when speaking to her superiors, never challenging them.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Often implies the person is too eager to help, showing low self-esteem or low social status.
Her servile compliance with every request made people doubt her authority.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Flattering
Being described as 'servile' is usually not a compliment, suggesting lack of dignity or spine.
His colleagues disliked his servile nature as it seemed like pandering.
Pro Tip 3/3Power Dynamics
Used in contexts where there is an imbalance of power, such as between a boss and an employee.
She had a servile approach when speaking to her superiors, never challenging them.
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Video examples
Courtney Martin:...
and a servile underestimation of ourselves." You may have guessed by now, I did not light myself on fire. I did what I know to do in desperation, which is write. I wrote the book I needed to read. I wrote a book about eight incredible people
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 265 PIPE...
sort of comfortable position in the branches of this very tall and spiny tree one of the reasons they do that is because they are servile on the ground they are jackal they are all sorts of nocturnal predators that might snack on
Video examples
Courtney Martin:...
and a servile underestimation of ourselves." You may have guessed by now, I did not light myself on fire. I did what I know to do in desperation, which is write. I wrote the book I needed to read. I wrote a book about eight incredible people
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 265 PIPE...
sort of comfortable position in the branches of this very tall and spiny tree one of the reasons they do that is because they are servile on the ground they are jackal they are all sorts of nocturnal predators that might snack on
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Suzanne Collins
American Novelist
There's a basis for the war, historically, in the 'Hunger Games,' which would be the third servile war, which was Spartacus' war, where you have a man who is a slave who is then turned into a gladiator who broke out of the gladiator school and led a rebellion and then became the face of the war.
Quote examples
Francisco Goya
Spanish Artist
I will give a proof to demonstrate with facts that there are no rules in painting and that oppression or servile obligation of making all study or follow the same path is a great impediment for the young who profess this very difficult art.
Quote examples
Steve Schmidt
American Businessman
What destroyed the Republican Party isn't Trump. It's the obedience to Trump from servile leaders like McConnell and Ryan who could have put a check on him. They have gotten their place in political history. They'll be remembered as vile.
Quote examples
H. P. Lovecraft
American Novelist
Throw a stick, and the servile dog wheezes and pants and shambles to bring it to you. Do the same before a cat, and he will eye you with coolly polite and somewhat bored amusement.
Quote examples
Cesare Beccaria
Italian Judge
I myself owe everything to French books. They developed in my soul the sentiments of humanity which had been stifled by eight years of fanatical and servile education.
Quote examples
Thalia
Mexican Musician
This is the fantasy of every woman - to hold at our feet servile and tame slaves, like in Roman times. And the worse we treat them, the more passionate they become.
Quote examples
Lord Byron
British Poet
This man is freed from servile bands, Of hope to rise, or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands, And leaving nothing, yet hath all.
Quote examples
Charlie Sheen
American Actor
That we are to stand by the President right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
Quote examples
Richard Jefferies
English Writer
There are people in this servile world who will endure any trampling, and at the first beck rush delightedly to proffer their assistance.
Quote examples
Lord Byron
British Poet
Sincerity may be humble but she cannot be servile.
Quote examples
Suzanne Collins
American Novelist
There's a basis for the war, historically, in the 'Hunger Games,' which would be the third servile war, which was Spartacus' war, where you have a man who is a slave who is then turned into a gladiator who broke out of the gladiator school and led a rebellion and then became the face of the war.
Quote examples
Francisco Goya
Spanish Artist
I will give a proof to demonstrate with facts that there are no rules in painting and that oppression or servile obligation of making all study or follow the same path is a great impediment for the young who profess this very difficult art.
Quote examples
Steve Schmidt
American Businessman
What destroyed the Republican Party isn't Trump. It's the obedience to Trump from servile leaders like McConnell and Ryan who could have put a check on him. They have gotten their place in political history. They'll be remembered as vile.
Quote examples
H. P. Lovecraft
American Novelist
Throw a stick, and the servile dog wheezes and pants and shambles to bring it to you. Do the same before a cat, and he will eye you with coolly polite and somewhat bored amusement.
Quote examples
Cesare Beccaria
Italian Judge
I myself owe everything to French books. They developed in my soul the sentiments of humanity which had been stifled by eight years of fanatical and servile education.
Quote examples
Thalia
Mexican Musician
This is the fantasy of every woman - to hold at our feet servile and tame slaves, like in Roman times. And the worse we treat them, the more passionate they become.
Quote examples
Lord Byron
British Poet
This man is freed from servile bands, Of hope to rise, or fear to fall; Lord of himself, though not of lands, And leaving nothing, yet hath all.
Quote examples
Charlie Sheen
American Actor
That we are to stand by the President right or wrong is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.
Quote examples
Richard Jefferies
English Writer
There are people in this servile world who will endure any trampling, and at the first beck rush delightedly to proffer their assistance.
Quote examples
Lord Byron
British Poet
Sincerity may be humble but she cannot be servile.
Example 1 of 10
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