pandering

[pan-der-ing] / ˈpæn dər ɪŋ /

VERB

cater to, indulge

Synonyms

STRONG

cajole gratify massage please satisfy snow soap stroke

WEAK

brownnose fall all over lay it on play the game play up to politic soften up suck up to

Antonyms

STRONG

anger annoy disappoint disturb frustrate upset

WEAK

deny dissatisfy refuse

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.

First, good on Mazzulla to straight-up treat the kid as the reporter he clearly is, and answer the question directly, without pandering or turning it into some sort of saccharine after-school special.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 2025

Neither play is beyond pandering to its audience for an easy laugh.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 28, 2025

Yoon feared that pandering to the public might prevent him achieving his goals, and hoped people would eventually recognise he was doing a good job, Shin explained.

From BBC • Apr. 3, 2025

If you feel annoyed by the pandering Sweetgreen announcement and the new labels on certain offerings, I say get comfortable.

From Slate • Jan. 7, 2025

We’d been taught that worrying about inmates’ concerns was tantamount to pandering, that it almost demeaned an officer.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover