Synonyms of suck

suck 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈsək 

informal + sometimes impolite

as in to smell

to be objectionable or unsatisfactory

it's amazing that a song that sucks so bad can be so popular

Synonyms & Similar Words

• smell
• bite
• stink

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• rule
• rock

suck (up)

2 of 3

verb (2)

1

as in to fuss

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

a young lieutenant constantly sucking up to the commanding officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in to soak (up)

to take in (something liquid) through small openings

these lilacs sucked up all the water I added to the vase yesterday

Synonyms & Similar Words

• soak (up)
• drink
• absorb
• take up
• swallow
• sponge
• imbibe
• sip
• gulp
• slurp
• quaff
• guzzle
• swig
• swill

suck-up

3 of 3

noun

ˈsək-ˌəp 

as in sycophant

a person who flatters another in order to get ahead

I'd like to give my boss a birthday present, but I don't want to look like a shameless suck-up

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sycophant
• lickspittle
• bootlicker
• toady
• brownnoser
• minion
• fan
• flunky
• henchman
• parasite
• sponge
• admirer
• devotee
• slave
• apple-polisher
• fawner
• yes-man
• pupil
• apparatchik
• hanger-on
• lackey
• partisan
• disciple
• leech
• follower
• sponger
• enthusiast
• stooge
• satellite
• company man
• adherent
• lapdog
• zealot
• worshipper
• cultist
• idolater
• running dog
• groveler
• votary
• camp follower
• convert
• me-tooer

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of suck

Verb

Moody new girl Coley moves to a small town in Oregon after the death of her mother to live with her dad (Zach Braff), an otherwise invisible presence in her life growing up, when she gets sucked into the orbit of popular girl Sonya, who has a gaggle of friends and a face full of freckles. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 June 2026

The image in question features Grande crouched on the ground while sucking a lollipop and loving a happy black dog. — Jessica Schladebeck, New York Daily News, 25 June 2026

Noun

Ditto his despicable aides and Cabinet members, his unprincipled sycophants and suck-ups. — Robert B. Reich, Hartford Courant, 9 June 2026

Matthew eventually one-ups the request by losing his boxers as well and going full Winnie the Pooh, which earns him the respect of his fellow suck-ups. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025

Phrases Containing suck

• suck (up)
• suck in