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brown-nosing

ADJECTIVE

fawning

Synonyms

STRONGEST

flattering

STRONG

bootlicking bowing cowering crawling cringing humble ingratiating kowtowing prostrate scraping sniveling

WEAK

abject adulatory 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 complacent compliable compliant cringing crouching deferential enslaved fawning flattering ingratiating kowtowing 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

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.

There have been niceties and brownnosing, but no sanctions or threats thereof.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 22, 2026

And they have done a little brownnosing, saying that Iowans’ political IQ is off the charts.

From Washington Times • Aug. 12, 2023

Also, everybody at Sterling Cooper Draper, watch your backs: A new guy in the office is brownnosing in a conspicuous hurry.

From Slate • Apr. 4, 2013

People were always offering him jobs, he’d explain, but he wasn’t interested in work for hire, in saluting and sucking up and brownnosing and taking orders.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls

brown-nosing

Example Sentences

Related Words