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kowtow

verb

ˈkau̇-ˌtau̇ How to pronounce kowtow (audio)
Definition of kowtownext
as in to fuss
to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior you can try kowtowing to the boss, but he'll see right through you

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 kowtow But opponents now say the plan kowtows to oil and gas interests who are lobbying hard for concessions, citing an already unstable state and international energy market. — Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026 What distinguishes Camper, at least musically, is his deference to classic R&B signifiers without kowtowing to pastiche. — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 27 Apr. 2026 Under such circumstances, Taiwan would sooner or later kowtow to Beijing. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 11 Mar. 2026 After all, the series largely avoids other topical issues of modern campus life, from freedom of speech restrictions to administrators kowtowing to autocracies. — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for kowtow
Recent Examples of Synonyms for kowtow
  1. fuss
  2. toady
  3. drool
  4. truckle
  5. bootlick
  6. submit
  7. fawn
Verb
  • Perhaps only a pedant—or a hypocrite—would fuss about that kind of imprecision.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 6 Sep. 2026
  • If the offensive line’s healthy again, RB Saquon Barkley will ramble again, broadening QB Jalen Hurts’ margin for error and being fussed at by the coaching staff.
    — David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of fuss
Verb
  • The only other psychological need that rivals his thirst for toadying is the pursuit of .
    — Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Hamlet’s toadying friends, the hangers-on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, are Izzard’s own talking hands, popping up to face her like a pair of Muppets.
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2024
Definition of toady
Verb
  • All three judges are basically drooling over how much pure quickstep content is in this routine despite some framework issues and the mistake at the end.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Toward the end of the film, that kid is grown up and stuck in an incestuous relationship with his mother, while a nearly incapacitated Dau sits drooling nearby.
    — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of drool
Verb
  • Garbarino enjoyed his time with the Southern river rats and mountain folk, and their refusal to truckle to authority delights him to this day.
    — David Samuels, Town & Country, 18 Oct. 2013
Definition of truckle
Verb
  • Its mission was to upset hierarchies, not reinforce them, and few things were more offensive to comedians than bootlicking.
    — Robert Lynch, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Call it the bootlicking trickle-down-effect.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026
Definition of bootlick
Verb
  • Even before submitting the script for the pilot, Dunham was asked to write four episodes along with it.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Secret Witness online or by calling (775) 322-4900.
    — Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of submit
Verb
  • Daunte Bacheyie impressed, and the Orange's kick returners showed much to fawn over, but Syracuse must stay disciplined as its schedule gets tougher.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Sep. 2026
  • In the winter, the tech industry fawned over a similar tool called OpenClaw.
    — Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of fawn

Browse Nearby Words

kosher
kowtow
kowtowed
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“Kowtow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kowtow. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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