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kowtowing

ADJECTIVE

fawning

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flattering

STRONG

bootlicking bowing cowering crawling cringing humble ingratiating prostrate scraping sniveling

WEAK

abject adulatory brown-nosing compliant mealy-mouthed obsequious parasitic servile slavish spineless submissive subservient sycophant sycophantic

Antonyms

WEAK

aloof cool disinterested proud unfriendly

ADJECTIVE

obsequious

Synonyms

WEAK

abject beggarly brown-nosing complacent compliable compliant cringing crouching deferential enslaved fawning flattering ingratiating menial obeisant oily parasitic parasitical prostrate respectful servile slavish sneaking sniveling spineless stipendiary subject submissive subordinate subservient sycophantic toadying unctuous

Antonyms

WEAK

arrogant assertive brazen confident presumptuous

NOUN

indulgence

Synonyms

STRONGEST

extravagance kindness leniency permissiveness privilege

STRONG

allowance appeasement attention courtesy endurance excess favor fondling fondness forbearance fulfillment goodwill hedonism immoderation intemperance intemperateness lenience pampering partiality patience petting pleasing profligacy satiation satisfaction service spoiling tolerance toleration understanding

WEAK

babying coddling favoring gratifying placating profligateness toadying treating

Antonyms

STRONG

disapproval disfavor disregard dissatisfaction frustration intolerance need want

WEAK

abstention care moderation temperance

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Bennett argued presciently that by kowtowing to radicals, “a great university was brought low by the very forces which modern universities came into being to oppose: ignorance, irrationality and intimidation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Normally, I wouldn’t suggest kowtowing to the Americans and their strange instance on measuring things their own way.

From Slate • Nov. 21, 2025

Those early signs of kowtowing were bad indicators that the members of Youngstown State University’s faculty union just couldn’t get behind.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

It will not want to be seen kowtowing to Washington.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

I don’t know why, but right then it finally dawned on me that Papa had wanted to please Grandpa out of respect and gratitude, not from kowtowing.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns

kowtowing

Example Sentences

Related Words