dutiful

adjective

du·​ti·​ful ˈdü-ti-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
 also  ˈdyü-
1
: filled with or motivated by a sense of duty
a dutiful child
2
: proceeding from or expressive of a sense of duty
a dutiful effort
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

Examples of dutiful in a Sentence

the dutiful way he took care of his sick mother the family showed a dutiful deference to their minister when he came to dinner
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The energy burst obliterated AL (into a sperm and egg that the dutiful cleaner robot swept up), while Fifteen as a Time Lord was able to absorb the part of the blast directed at Belinda. Matt Webb Mitovich, TVLine, 12 Apr. 2025 Director Hawes’ finished product, dutiful and impersonal, goes to geopolitical extremes to disregard any geopolitical realities. Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025 The twist offered in this tale is that this dutiful and obedient AI proceeds to gobble up all the available resources on earth to maximally achieve this goal. Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025 With numinous Neptune officially transiting your dutiful sixth house of health, work, routines and day-to-day affairs, your lifestyle is evolving. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 30 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for dutiful

Word History

First Known Use

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of dutiful was in 1552

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Cite this Entry

“Dutiful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dutiful. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

dutiful

adjective
du·​ti·​ful ˈd(y)üt-i-fəl How to pronounce dutiful (audio)
: having or showing a sense of duty
dutifully adverb
dutifulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on dutiful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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