Obedient vs. Submissive — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 11, 2024
Obedient individuals comply with rules or commands, while submissive people yield to others' authority or will.
Difference Between Obedient and Submissive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Obedience involves following rules or instructions from a figure of authority. This action is often driven by respect, duty, or moral obligation, and typically occurs within a clear structure or hierarchy. Submissiveness, on the other hand, involves yielding to someone else's authority, control, or demands, often going beyond mere compliance. It can be driven by respect, fear, or desire to please, and might not always involve a formal structure of authority.
While both obedience and submission involve a degree of compliance, the motivations and contexts can differ significantly. Obedience is more about adherence to specific instructions or laws, whereas submission can be more about a general attitude or approach to relationships and interactions.
In professional or educational settings, obedience is often expected and rewarded. In contrast, submission can be more nuanced and personal, potentially leading to imbalances or unhealthy dynamics if not based on mutual respect and consent.
Obedience does not necessarily imply a lack of autonomy or self-respect; it can be a conscious choice to follow rules for personal or communal benefit. Submission, especially when it's extreme or unbalanced, might sometimes suggest a lower level of personal autonomy or self-assertion.
Comparison Chart
Basis
Compliance with rules or commands
Yielding to authority or will
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Motivation
Respect, duty, moral obligation
Respect, fear, desire to please
Context
Often structured or hierarchical
Can be informal or personal
Relationship
Often clear and defined roles
May involve nuanced dynamics
Implication for Autonomy
Can maintain autonomy
May imply less autonomy
Compare with Definitions
Obedient
Following rules strictly.
She was always obedient to the company's strict dress code.
Submissive
Yielding to others' decisions.
In the debate, she was too submissive and rarely defended her viewpoints.
Obedient
Compliant with authority.
The obedient dog followed its owner's commands without hesitation.
Submissive
Lowering oneself to another's authority.
The submissive employee never questioned his boss's decisions.
Obedient
Adhering to moral or social norms.
He was obedient to societal expectations despite personal reservations.
Submissive
Eager to please or appease.
The submissive partner always made sacrifices to avoid conflicts.
Obedient
Respectful to figures of authority.
The obedient student never spoke back to the teachers.
Submissive
Passively accepting of control.
His submissive nature made him vulnerable to manipulation.
Obedient
Disciplined in following instructions.
The team was obedient to their coach's strategic plans during the game.
Submissive
Relinquishing control or leadership.
She took a submissive role in the project, letting others lead.
Obedient
Dutifully complying with the commands, orders, or instructions of one in authority.
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit.
Obedient
Willing to comply with the commands, orders, or instructions of those in authority.
Jessica was so intensely obedient of her parents that her brother sometimes thought she was a robot.
Submissive
Obedient or passive.
Obedient
One who obeys.
Submissive
(BDSM) One who submits to a dominant partner in BDSM practices.
Obedient
Subject in will or act to authority; willing to obey; submissive to restraint, control, or command.
And floating straight, obedient to the stream.
The chief his orders gives; the obedient band,With due observance, wait the chief's command.
Submissive
(rare) One who submits.
Obedient
Dutifully complying with the commands or instructions of those in authority;
An obedient soldier
Obedient children
A little man obedient to his wife
The obedient colonies...are heavily taxed; the refractory remain unburdened
Submissive
Inclined or ready to submit; acknowledging one's inferiority; yielding; obedient; humble.
Not at his feet submissive in distress,Creature so fair his reconcilement seeking.
Submissive
Showing a readiness to submit; expressing submission; as, a submissive demeanor.
With a submissive step I hasted down.
Submissive
Inclined or willing to submit to orders or wishes of others or showing such inclination;
Submissive servants
A submissive reply
Replacing troublemakers with more submissive people
Submissive
Willing to submit without resistance to authority; deferent
Submissive
Abjectly submissive; characteristic of a slave or servant;
Slavish devotion to her job ruled her life
A slavish yes-man to the party bosses
She has become submissive and subservient
Common Curiosities
Are obedient people always submissive?
No, one can be obedient without being submissive, as obedience focuses on rules and submission on relational dynamics.
Is being submissive a negative trait?
Not inherently; it depends on the context and whether it's based on mutual respect and consent.
How do authority figures impact obedience and submission?
Authority figures can command obedience through formal rules, while their personal influence can encourage submission.
Do cultural factors influence obedience and submission?
Yes, cultural norms and values significantly shape attitudes towards obedience and submission.
How do children learn obedience and submission?
Through socialization, observing authority figures, and understanding social norms.
Can submissive behaviors lead to exploitation?
Without mutual respect and boundaries, submissive behaviors can make individuals vulnerable to exploitation.
What does it mean to be obedient?
Being obedient means to follow rules or instructions set by an authority figure.
How do obedience and submission affect relationships?
They can establish dynamics of power and control, influencing the balance and health of relationships.
Can someone be both obedient and submissive?
Yes, a person can be both obedient to rules and submissive in their interpersonal dynamics.
Is it possible to be too obedient or submissive?
Excessive obedience or submission can lead to personal or ethical compromises.
Can submission be part of a healthy dynamic?
Yes, when based on trust, respect, and consent, submission can be part of a healthy relationship dynamic.
Can submission be empowering?
In certain contexts, choosing to be submissive can be empowering if it's a conscious choice within a respectful relationship.
How do personal boundaries relate to obedience and submission?
Personal boundaries define the extent of one's willingness to be obedient or submissive, safeguarding autonomy and self-respect.
How does societal structure impact obedience?
Societal structures and institutions establish norms and expectations that promote obedience.
What role does autonomy play in obedience and submission?
Autonomy influences one's capacity to choose obedience or submission consciously and healthily.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
