as in fussing
to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior
a satirical novel about an amoral go-getter who toadies his way to the top of the corporate ladder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in grovelling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in fawning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toadying
Adjective
-
The Texas State Legislature was even more obsequious, approving a $15 million incentive package in 2013.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025 -
Softening the strongman The film starts with the loyal and somewhat obsequious journalist Pavel Zarubin interviewing Putin at the end of his long working day in the Kremlin, at 1:30 a.m.—
Peter Rutland,
The Conversation,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Another problem with Rutte’s strategy is that there is little evidence that sycophancy, no matter how extreme, has produced significant long-term change in Trump’s views.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
-
The OpenAI Model Spec — the document that describes what the company is aiming for with its products — warns against sycophancy, saying that: The assistant exists to help the user, not flatter them or agree with them all the time.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
7 Dec. 2018
Adjective
-
Constantly giving me positive attention, which felt, at times, sycophantic.—
Cathy Hackl,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
-
After the model has been trained, companies can set system prompts, or guidelines, for how the model should behave to minimize sycophantic behavior.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2025
Noun
-
This should be the subject of discussions in America’s classrooms, book clubs, houses of worship, legislative chambers, service clubs, podcasts, and social media feeds in 2026.—
Hans Zeiger,
The Orlando Sentinel,
7 July 2025
-
King said the one caveat for houses of worship is that some spaces could be considered private, such as offices or classrooms, while the sanctuary or lobby could be considered public.—
Liam Adams,
The Tennessean,
4 July 2025
Noun
-
Were any parts of her personality driven in direct opposition or in adoration of her two older sisters?—
Brooke Lea Foster,
People.com,
30 June 2025
-
There’s not this salivation for love, adoration— From your audiences.—
Danyel Smith,
Rolling Stone,
18 June 2025
Adjective
-
His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
-
Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
As religions developed and faiths were defined in Biblical texts and commentaries, teachings began to distinguish between veneration and idolatry.—
Judy Knotts,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
The Muhammad Ali Center previously told The Courier Journal the cultural center doesn't have a statue of Ali out of respect for his Islamic faith, which forbids idolatry.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
It will not be subservient to the prime minister—or to any one person.—
HARTOSH SINGH BAL,
Foreign Affairs,
30 June 2025
-
Latinas of all backgrounds have endured being typecast as a slutty Maria or subservient Lupe.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Toadying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toadying. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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