flunkies

variants also flunkeys
Definition of flunkiesnext
plural of flunky

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 Yasmin, Tender’s briefly installed head of communications, is the first of Whitney’s flunkies to defect. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunkies
Noun
  • Thank you to the public servants wrestling with impossible decisions.
    DP Opinion, Denver Post, 10 Apr. 2026
  • The latter is less of a mother to Agnes than Rosa (Kira Guloien), one of the household’s many Marthas (put-upon domestic servants).
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Nobody wanted to go there — well, except the oil and gas companies aching to root around for black gold, and their most loyal minions in high places.
    Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Israel is also a part of the ceasefire but was subjected to a last-minute barrage of missile attacks today from Iran and its minions.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Trump wants Americans to believe that his opponents are of this ilk, with his lackeys casting activists as domestic terrorists for merely showing up to protests.
    Gustavo Arellano, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Trump wants Americans to believe that his opponents are of this ilk, with his lackeys casting activists as domestic terrorists for merely showing up to protests.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Will any other sycophants in his cult get the message?
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
  • To start the new Mideast war, Donnie acted on his own with no resistance from his sycophants, who have no backbones.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
  • After several unsuccessful ploys by his henchmen to save his life — including one that would be attempted post-hanging — Cardinella was down to one last try.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 15 Apr. 2026
  • That is, until Krypto is poisoned by the henchmen of villain Krem of the Yellow Hills, with only three days to save him.
    Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
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
Noun
  • The result of this dynamic tension of bootlickers, according to Bernhard’s narrator, is the perpetual elevation and official anointment of mediocrity.
    Literary Hub, 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

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Cite this Entry

“Flunkies.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunkies. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.

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