uhb-SEE-kwee-uhs
(adjective) Excessively eager to please or obey; overly submissive.
His obsequious praise of the boss was more irritating than impressive.
Fun Fact
“Obsequious” people often appear in political dramas, sitcoms, and Shakespearean tragedies. Think of the advisor who flatters the king just to stay in power. The word describes behavior that looks respectful on the surface but often hides selfish motives.
dawg-MAT-ik
(adjective) Asserting opinions or beliefs in an arrogant, rigid, and often unyielding way.
His dogmatic approach left no room for compromise or alternative ideas.
Mid 17th century: from late Latin dogmaticus, from Greek dogmatikos, from dogma ‘opinion, tenet’.
Fun Fact
Dogmatic is often used in politics, academia, or religion—anywhere someone clings to a belief system so tightly that opposing views are dismissed outright. It doesn’t necessarily mean the belief is wrong—just that it’s inflexibly held. In leadership or conversation, being called dogmatic is rarely a compliment; it suggests stubborn conviction without curiosity or tolerance.