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as in responsible
being the one who must meet an obligation or suffer the consequences for failing to do so even our nation's highest leaders must remain amenable to the law

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word amenable different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of amenable are docile, obedient, and tractable. While all these words mean "submissive to the will of another," amenable suggests a willingness to yield or cooperate because of a desire to be agreeable or because of a natural open-mindedness.

amenable to new ideas

When is it sensible to use docile instead of amenable?

The words docile and amenable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, docile implies a predisposition to submit readily to control or guidance.

a docile child

When might obedient be a better fit than amenable?

While in some cases nearly identical to amenable, obedient implies compliance with the demands or requests of one in authority.

obedient to the government

When could tractable be used to replace amenable?

While the synonyms tractable and amenable are close in meaning, tractable suggests having a character that permits easy handling or managing.

tractable animals

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of amenable These qubits, if made, would be much more robust to noise than other approaches, and are more readily amenable to scaling. IEEE Spectrum, 18 Apr. 2025 Clearly, these are all areas amenable for further research. Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025 Though it’s no longer sold in the U.S., the Fit received high marks for its amenable overall performance, good fuel economy and its surprisingly roomy cabin that included second row-row seats that could both fold flat and tumble forward to accommodate taller objects. Jim Gorzelany, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025 Zelensky said President Donald Trump had received on his desk a fresh document proposing a path forward in negotiations more amenable to Ukraine and its European allies. Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 25 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for amenable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for amenable
Adjective
  • For now the Bears seem willing to let the noise continue into June.
    Dan Wiederer, Chicago Tribune, 23 May 2025
  • Too bad, but anyway plot and plausibility are far less important than the experiential qualities Resurrection offers those willing to accept its fairy tale-like pitch.
    Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 23 May 2025
Adjective
  • They’re done being obedient to an archaic and broken system.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024
  • According to the new framing, Russia’s real fight is against the mighty United States, which wants to destroy it, while Ukraine—just like the European Union and NATO—is merely an obedient U.S. satellite.
    Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 25 May 2023
Adjective
  • That can backfire spectacularly, since taxpayers are responsible for what’s on their tax return.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • Concerned meteorologists warn that the forecasts communities have come to depend on as their front line of defense against hurricanes could suffer this year, as the Weather Service remains chiefly responsible for predicting storms despite recently losing at least 10% of its workforce.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 31 May 2025
Adjective
  • The chicks should be ready to leave the nest around May 28.
    Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 May 2025
  • But not everyone is ready to join the wave just yet.
    Jon Youshaei, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025
Adjective
  • Last year, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are considered human beings and those who destroy them can be held liable for wrongful death, leading fertility clinics throughout the state to pause IVF treatments.
    Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 25 May 2025
  • Its purpose is to hold employers, housing providers and others liable for practices that disproportionately harm vulnerable groups.
    Cerys Davies, Los Angeles Times, 24 May 2025
Adjective
  • The reason is that employees who are inclined to violate a nondisclosure agreement are also inclined to violate a noncompete.
    Sam Peak, Sun Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • In her view, Gen Z grads are less inclined to assertively chase opportunities — including taking jobs that aren’t necessarily their dream roles.
    Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 28 May 2025
Adjective
  • Investors appeared glad that Musk would be pivoting away from his involvement in politics to refocus on his companies, pushing up shares of the electric vehicle company nearly 7% Tuesday.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 28 May 2025
  • Many billionaires appear glad to part with lots of their money for a shot at living forever.
    Dobromir Rahnev, The Conversation, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Amenable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/amenable. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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