From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishslavishslav‧ish /ˈsleɪvɪʃ/ adjective OBEYobeying, supporting, or copying someone completely – used to show disapproval a slavish adherence to the rules —slavishly adverb not a rule to be slavishly followed in every instance —slavishness noun [uncountable]
Examples from the Corpus
slavish• Pope, however, distances himself from those who recommend a slavish adherence to the ancient rules and models.• The free market had virtues too long eclipsed by slavish conformity to collective ideals that no longer seemed relevant.• Courts also avoid the slavish copying of earlier decisions by the technique of distinguishing cases.• Nor is Badu in any way a slavish Holiday imitator or even a jazz singer.• The women's slavish obedience disgusted me.• Propping up the world's most enduring dictator is a slavish personality cult, and rigid control of the nation.• I am not a slavish supporter of what he has done at the DfEE.• He was able to manipulate their slavish willingness to serve in the name of patriotism.slavish adherence• Burying it all under a thick shell of bluster, bullying, slavish adherence to protocol and discipline.• Pope, however, distances himself from those who recommend a slavish adherence to the ancient rules and models. 