obedience

Plural: obediences

Noun

• the act of obeying; dutiful or submissive behavior with respect to another person
• the trait of being willing to obey
• behavior intended to please your parents
  • "their children were never very strong on obedience"
• The quality of being obedient.
• The collective body of persons subject to any particular authority.
• A written instruction from the superior of an order to those under him.
• Any official position under an abbot's jurisdiction.

Examples

• Obedience is essential in any army.

Synonyms

obeisance, respect, hearsomeness, submission

Antonyms

disobedience, control, defiance, dominance, rebellion, violation

Related Words

obedient, obeisance, obey