Obsequious vs Attentive - What's the difference?
obsequious | attentive | Related terms |
(archaic) Obedient, compliant with someone else's orders or wishes.
Excessively eager and attentive to please or to obey all instructions; fawning, subservient, servile.
* 1927 , (Thornton Wilder), (The Bridge of San Luis Rey) , p. 20
(obsolete) Of or pertaining to obsequies, funereal.
*
*
paying attention; noticing, watching, listening, or attending closely
Obsequious is a related term of attentive.
As adjectives the difference between obsequious and attentive
is that obsequious is (archaic) obedient, compliant with someone else's orders or wishes while attentive is paying attention; noticing, watching, listening, or attending closely.obsequious
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- Translation falls especially short of this conceit which carries the whole flamboyance of the Spanish language. It was intended as an obsequious flattery of the Condesa, and was untrue.
- … the survivor bound
In filial obligation for some term
To do obsequious sorrow…
- Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament
Th’ untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.
Usage notes
* In modern usage, not to be confused with obsequies as the “funereal” sense has become obsolete.Synonyms
* (fawning or subservient) fawning, ingratiating, servile, slavish, sycophantic, truckling, people pleaser, kiss-assattentive
English
Etymology
.Adjective
(en adjective)- She is an attentive listener, but does not like to talk much.