as in flunkeys
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
Relevance
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 suck-ups
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
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 23 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for suck-ups
Noun
-
In the past, Newsom denounced judges who ruled against them as toadies of the firearms industry.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Naturally his reliable Republican toadies lined up to support him.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
What made Armani’s designs so appealing to Ovitz and his minions wasn’t just their confident power-suit cut.—
Benjamin Svetkey,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Vex can use that energy to empower herself, or channel it to conjure deadly minions that fight alongside her.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The Deadly Kissing Bug, or an infected triatomine insect, are infected by Trypanosoma cruzi parasites.—
Ella Gonzales,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Sep. 2025
-
Tracking the spread of parasites and diseases in wild moose populations helps wildlife managers preserve those populations and reduce the spread to other animals or livestock.—
Jessie Richards,
The Conversation,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At the end of the episode, tragedy strikes when Robbie’s latest robbery ends in one of his henchmen and all of the drug house’s attendants dying.—
Grace Byron,
Vulture,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The citizens of Venezuela don't deserve to live under the tyrannical rule of Maduro or any of his henchmen!—
Dan Gooding
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Needless to say, fans have been waiting for the Limitless One to make his triumphant return.—
Jeremy Hanna,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
-
Of the two brothers, Jeremiah is the antagonist of the season, mainly because fans have been rooting for Conrad and Belly since day one, while Jeremiah stands in their way.—
Olivia Petter,
Vogue,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Suck-ups.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/suck-ups. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share