Thesaurus results for BOOTLICKERS

bootlickers

noun

plural of bootlicker

as in sycophants

a person who flatters another in order to get ahead she's such a bootlicker that I don't take any of her compliments seriously

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 bootlickers The result of this dynamic tension of bootlickers, according to Bernhard’s narrator, is the perpetual elevation and official anointment of mediocrity. — Literary Hub, 19 Feb. 2026 These are just some of the most prominent, powerful bootlickers stumbling right now on their own deceit and desperation. — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for bootlickers

Noun

Ditto his despicable aides and Cabinet members, his unprincipled sycophants and suck-ups.

— Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026
Trump’s worried sycophants probably know that the details of an eventual agreement likely do not matter very much at this point.

— Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 25 May 2026

Definition of sycophants

Noun

Rarely has a president been surrounded by such an array of toadies and lickspittles, operating beyond their competence in an atmosphere of organizational chaos.

— Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Like the most treacherous toadies from literature — Iago, Wormtongue, Tywin Lannister — Miller managed to shove aside rivals to latch onto his master’s ear and guide him toward more evil.

— Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2026

Definition of toadies

Noun

Rarely has a president been surrounded by such an array of toadies and lickspittles, operating beyond their competence in an atmosphere of organizational chaos.

— Eliot A. Cohen, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2026
Firmly in control of the nation’s massive federal apparatus, MAGA and its Republican lickspittles in Congress have thrived on chaos.

— Steven Greenhut, Oc Register, 23 Jan. 2026

Definition of lickspittles

Noun

Perhaps if this was any team other than the Yankees — where all of Hal Steinbrenner’s minions appear to have lifetime contracts — Aaron Boone’s status as manager would be coming under intense scrutiny about now.

— Bill Madden, New York Daily News, 4 July 2026
In the chaos, the minions eat some spaghetti just like in Lady and the Tramp (1955).

— Barry Levitt, Time, 3 July 2026

Definition of minions

Noun

And so does Jesse — particularly the latest installment, which sees the iconic henchmen find themselves as accidental stars in 1920s Hollywood.

— Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
Now, Lilith must team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) to fight biker trolls, outrun evil henchmen, and escape the Screaming Woods on an epic quest to save the kingdom, but most importantly, their relationship.

— Rick Ellis, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

Definition of henchmen

Noun

His stardom has only grown with each visit, winning him enamored fans around the world, and even a theme song.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
As the last Los Angeles FIFA World Cup event ended Friday, soccer fans were eating like locals and famous chains from the region were cashing in.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026

Definition of fans

Noun

Georgia is now among many states contending with a surge of cyclosporiasis, an intestinal disease caused by microscopic parasites called cyclospora that can contaminate food and water, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.

— Alex Nettles, AJC.com, 11 July 2026
Tolbert warns that food storage containers with lids should be cleaned regularly to prevent contamination from dust mites and other parasites, especially before refilling.

— Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 9 July 2026

Definition of parasites

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“Bootlickers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/bootlickers. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of bootlickers

noun

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