adjective
1.
Synonyms: hard 6, difficult, formidable, heavy, knotty, laborious, operose, rough, rugged, strenuous
2.
Synonyms: subservient 2, menial, obeisant, obsequious, servile
Related Word: spineless, subdued, tame; miserable, wretched
Antonyms: independent
3.
copying obsequiously something superior
the painting was a slavish copy of an old master
Synonyms: apish, emulative, imitative
Related Word: uninspired; unoriginal
Contrasted words: fresh, new, novel, original; fanciful, imaginative, ingenious, inspired; extravagant, high-flown