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Subservient

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(pronounced sub-suhr-vee-unt; “suhr” pronounced like 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 Forms

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

Main Example

• You’ve all heard about the recent execution of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un’s uncle Jang Song-Thaek, who had until then been a top advisor to the young and impetuous dictator. Among the reasons why that unfortunate uncle was on the outs with his nephew: Some video clips showed Song-Thaek to applaud only tepidly and evince little or no enthusiasm during Jong-Un’s speeches. You can bet that henceforth the people of North Korea will be even more fawning and subservient when in the presence of the Stalinist Jong-Un.

Workplace Examples

• Sure, lowering the manufacturing cost is a high priority, but we don’t dare let cost reduction efforts affect product quality, which is of preeminent importance in the marketplace. In our business, cost reduction targets must always be subservient to quality goals.
• Sharon is not just the CEO; she’s also the founder of our extraordinarily successful and fast-growing company. Therefore, managers, salespersons--in fact all of the employees--accept her directions very enthusiastically. You’ll witness a lot of deference and subservience when Sharon’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 many companies, HR playing a subservient role and often being overruled by operations and sales execs
• in some cultures, the position of a woman being one of subservience--to cook, clean, and show utmost obedience to her husband; some in Iran showing blind subservience to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei
• 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.

© 2014 V.J. Singal
No part of this may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the author.

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