Synonyms of fawn

fawn

verb

ˈfȯn 

as in to fuss

to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior

a student who could not wait to fawn over the new teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

• fuss
• drool
• toady
• truckle
• curry favor
• kowtow
• bootlick
• submit
• kiss up to
• apple-polish
• suck (up)
• slobber
• court
• defer
• gush
• slaver
• woo
• idolize
• ingratiate
• coax
• adulate
• cower
• worship
• endear
• cringe
• cajole
• flatter
• yield
• overpraise
• blandish
• grovel
• demean
• soft-soap
• abase
• debase

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• despise
• scorn
• disdain
• scoff
• jeer
• jibe
• brave
• challenge
• defy
• gibe

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fawn distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fawn are cower, cringe, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When is it sensible to use cower instead of fawn?

The meanings of cower and fawn largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When might cringe be a better fit than fawn?

While the synonyms cringe and fawn are close in meaning, cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When would toady be a good substitute for fawn?

The synonyms toady and fawn are sometimes interchangeable, but toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

When is truckle a more appropriate choice than fawn?

Although the words truckle and fawn have much in common, truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of fawn

While sportswear behemoths will no doubt contribute a plethora of viral styles to the sneaker sphere in the coming months, fashion types will be fawning over Miu Miu’s buckled trainers, Prada’s distressed styles, Simone Rocha’s ribboned laces, and Stella McCartney’s retro pairs. —Alice Cary, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2025

President Bill Clinton gave a speech about the historic moment, but the media coverage was not uniformly fawning. —F.d. Flam, Twin Cities, 6 Aug. 2025

Singer and actor Adam Lambert has waved goodbye to his super chic Beverly Hills, California, estate for $6.2 million and is passing it on to new owners who too will fawn over its epic views. —Tj MacIas 23, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2025

Ice Spice takes the baton, rapping about how her figure and beauty always keep the guys fawning over her every word. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019

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