variants
also flunkeys
1
as in servants
a person hired to perform household or personal services
since I'm just the flunky who files his papers, I've no idea where he is
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sycophants
a person who flatters another in order to get ahead
a rock star who saw through the phonies and the flunkies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flunkies
For instance, Bolsonaro’s flunkies penetrated the government agency that handled film distribution.
—
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
The conservative dynamic duo representing the minority on the council against Wu and her progressive flunkies have repeatedly seen their proposals and bills rejected or just ignored by Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, a Wu ally.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025
The conservative dynamic duo representing the minority on the council against Wu and her progressive flunkies have repeatedly seen their proposals and bills rejected or just ignored by Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, a Wu ally.
—Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 27 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunkies
Noun
-
Their society was hierarchical, with those below the caciques known as the nitaínos (elites), behiques (perhaps shamans), and the naborías (usually servants and commoners).—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Oct. 2025
-
Surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, his daughters Olivia and Helen, and their friends, are finding their way and finding love—even where they’re not supposed to, according to the logline.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The only character who seems entirely transparent is Frederik, who can’t hide his resentment of his second-class spousal status or his contempt for the sycophants and mediocrities who cling to his wife like barnacles.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Tony & Ziva wrapped its rollercoaster of an espionage tale Thursday with an intense finale, which picked up with the titular pair once again going in search of their daughter Tali after she’s kidnapped by Jonah Markham’s (Julian Ovendon) lackeys.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
23 Oct. 2025
-
At the slightest provocation, Ye bullies, hectors, and screams at everyone from Paris fashion-show lackeys to the mother of his child.—
Derek Robertson,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
In the past, Newsom denounced judges who ruled against them as toadies of the firearms industry.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Naturally his reliable Republican toadies lined up to support him.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
In addition to its roomy style, fans also enthusiastically cite the bag’s leather material for its durability.—
Michelle Baricevic,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Oct. 2025
-
Drafted in the first round out of Texas Tech in 2017—a move that many fans were initially skeptical of—Mahomes only saw a few spot appearances before eventually taking over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
28 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Matthew eventually one-ups the request by losing his boxers as well and going full Winnie the Pooh, which earns him the respect of his fellow suck-ups.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
23 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flunkies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunkies. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share