Synonyms of kowtowing

kowtowing 1 of 2

adjective

as in subordinate

Related Words

• subordinate
• fawning
• servile
• obsequious
• subservient
• slavish
• obedient
• obeisant
• submissive
• docile
• compliant
• acquiescent
• amenable
• dutiful
• surrendering
• conformable
• amiable
• yielding
• tractable
• agreeable
• obliging
• biddable
• law-abiding
• restrained
• inhibited
• decorous
• repressed
• duteous
• orderly
• disciplined
• constrained
• placable
• mannerly
• controllable
• meek
• soft
• tame
• manageable
• mild
• gentle
• curbed
• teachable
• trainable
• disciplinable
• governable
• handleable

Dissimilar Words

• obstinate
• stubborn
• mutinous
• unyielding
• peevish
• insurgent
• obdurate
• resistant
• uncontrollable
• dogged
• mulish
• headstrong
• hardheaded
• wild
• defiant
• unmanageable
• perverse
• pigheaded
• bad
• errant
• naughty
• balky
• mischievous
• disorderly
• self-willed
• disrespectful
• dissident
• undisciplined
• insolent
• nonconformist
• impudent
• recalcitrant
• rude
• contrary
• refractory
• misbehaving
• impolite
• insubordinate
• willful
• rebellious
• disobedient
• unruly
• wayward
• intractable
• obstreperous
• contumacious
• restive
• untoward
• noncompliant
• rebel
• ungovernable
• ill-bred
• ill-mannered
• unamenable
• incompliant
• froward

kowtowing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of kowtow

as in fussing

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

• fussing
• fawning
• toadying
• bootlicking
• truckling
• drooling
• courting
• submitting
• deferring
• currying favor
• sucking (up)
• apple-polishing
• wooing
• slavering
• ingratiating
• slobbering
• kissing up to
• gushing
• worshipping
• cringing
• coaxing
• cowering
• cajoling
• idolizing
• groveling
• endearing
• yielding
• flattering
• adulating
• debasing
• demeaning
• abasing
• overpraising
• blandishing
• soft-soaping

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• despising
• disdaining
• scorning
• jeering
• scoffing
• defying
• challenging
• braving
• gibing

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of kowtowing

Verb

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

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

The public demand was made based on a social media post from right-wing journalist Laura Loomer, who pointed to a video in which Rice vowed to hold companies accountable for kowtowing to Trump if Democrats regain power in the federal government. — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 22 Feb. 2026

On Tuesday, Colbert claimed CBS management is kowtowing to Carr and showing a lack of corporate courage. — Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

But Thibodeau was never interested in being Tony La Russa and kowtowing to Reinsdorf or the management team of Gar Forman and John Paxson. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2026

Two years ago, she got fired from her $196,551 hack sinecure at the Cannabis Control Commission for not sufficiently kowtowing to the woke mob. — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Nov. 2025

Flattering, placating, and kowtowing only seem to spark escalating demands while defiance risks retaliation. — Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025

The secretary accused the AAP of kowtowing to corporate benefactors while ignoring the clear evidence that such vaccines are safe for children and can prevent serious illness. — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 21 Aug. 2025