Subservient

(pronounced sub-suhr-vee-unt, with the second syllable rhyming with the word "sir") adjective

Definition

1. useful or serving in a subordinate or less important capacity; subordinate. 2. cravenly or abjectly submissive; obsequious, fawning. 3. serving to promote some aim, end, or desired outcome.

Other Featured Words

Subservience (pronounced sub-suhr-vee-uns) noun

Main Example

The Saudi king's recent condemnation of the U.S. occupation of Iraq has sent shock waves through Washington, surprising even top officials in the state department. What triggered the sharp criticism? According to panelists on ABC's "This Week," it could be that Saudi King Abdullah, who came to power less than two years ago, wants to demonstrate to his people--a preponderant majority of whom harbor anti-U.S. sentiments--that, unlike his predecessor, he is not subservient to America.

Workplace Examples

Sure, lowering the manufacturing cost is a high priority, but we don't dare let those cost reduction efforts affect product quality, which is of preeminent importance for marketing success. In our business, cost reduction targets must always be subservient to quality goals.
Brad is not just the CEO--he's also the founder of our extraordinarily successful and fast-growing company! Therefore, managers and others accept his directions very enthusiastically. That's why you'll witness a lot of subservience when he's running a meeting.

Other Examples

a medical study that gives the impression of being objective but is actually subservient to the interests of the pharmaceutical company that paid for it and which, therefore, uses select pieces of data to arrive at its conclusions
in some cultures, the position of a woman being one of subservience: to cook, clean, and show utmost obedience to her husband; in the Stalinist nation of North Korea, the people showing blind subservience to their leader Kim Jong Il
in many companies, HR playing a subservient role and often being overruled by operations and sales execs
When members of the president's cabinet are confirmed by the U.S. Senate and take the oath of office, it signifies that these officials will always uphold the Constitution and serve the national interest rather than being totally subservient to the person who appointed them--the president of the U.S.