subservient
Meekly bowing down
Subservient describes someone who is excessively willing to serve or obey others, often to the point of losing dignity: She refused to be subservient to her husband.
The word carries connotations of excessive deference or subordination.
Something subservient to a goal serves as a means to that end: Individual needs were subservient to the company's mission.
Servilely attentive to superiors
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
toadying · kowtowing · cringing · ingratiating · unctuous · slavish · sniveling · flattering
Easily controlled or taught
- meekHumbly unassertive
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- acquiescentAccepting without resistance
- yieldingBending under pressure
compliant · passive · subdued · tame · unassertive · biddable · tractable · amenable
Of lower rank
- juniorLower in standing
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- minionServile subordinate
- secondaryLesser in rank
ancillary · lesser · menial · auxiliary · subsidiary · peripheral · deputy · second-in-command
Bearing or sustaining
- supplementaryServing to complete
- accessorySupplementary addition
- adjunctSubordinate addition to something
- contributoryHelping cause something
ancillary · subsidiary · instrumental · helpful · secondary · incidental · satellite · complementary
obsequious
Servilely attentive to superiors
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
bootlicking · toadying · kowtowing · cringing · ingratiating · unctuous · slavish · sniveling · flattering · prostrate
docile
Easily controlled or taught
- meekHumbly unassertive
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- acquiescentAccepting without resistance
yielding · compliant · passive · subdued · tame · unassertive · biddable · tractable · amenable · pliable
inferior
Of lower rank
secondary · ancillary · lesser · menial · auxiliary · subsidiary · peripheral · deputy · second-in-command · lackey
supporting
Bearing or sustaining
- supplementaryServing to complete
- accessorySupplementary addition
- adjunctSubordinate addition to something
contributory · ancillary · subsidiary · instrumental · helpful · secondary · incidental · satellite · complementary · dependent
- submissivesubmissive, obedient, docile, meek, compliant
- Hierarchy termspecking order, junior, chain of command, secondary, totem pole
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- deferencedeference, bow, curtsy, genuflect, kneeling
subservientdominant
Having superior influence
superior · domineering · commanding · authoritative · overbearing
subservientassertive
Confidently self-assured
defiant · rebellious · insubordinate · disobedient · unsubmissive
subservientindependent
Free from external control
autonomous · self-governing · sovereign · free · self-reliant