1. willing to obey others unquestioningly; excessively eager to please or submit
2. serving as a means to an end; subordinate in capacity or function
Usage: formal

Examples

• The new employee was overly subservient to his demanding boss.
• She refused to be subservient to anyone’s unreasonable demands.
• His subservient attitude made others uncomfortable during meetings.
• The committee’s role was subservient to the main board’s decisions.
• Individual rights should not be subservient to corporate interests.
• The assistant’s subservient behavior seemed forced and unnatural.
• All other considerations were subservient to the goal of safety.