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toady

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun toady differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of toady are leech, parasite, sponge, and sycophant. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

Where would leech be a reasonable alternative to toady?

The meanings of leech and toady largely overlap; however, leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

When could parasite be used to replace toady?

The synonyms parasite and toady are sometimes interchangeable, but parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

In what contexts can sponge take the place of toady?

While the synonyms sponge and toady are close in meaning, sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

When is sycophant a more appropriate choice than toady?

The words sycophant and toady are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

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 toady
Noun
Naturally his reliable Republican toadies lined up to support him. Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 8 Aug. 2025 Courtesy of Lucasfilm On an isolated farm at the outer reaches of a fascist empire, a mid-level government toady interrogates his victims. Jake Kleinman, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
But without Logan’s presence, Tom’s penchant for toadying and betrayal has nowhere to play off. Get our free weekly newsletter Sign up for CNN Opinion’s newsletter. Gene Seymour, CNN, 12 Apr. 2023 Fox News has long been accused of peddling Trump’s falsehoods and toadying up to the former president. Tori Otten, The New Republic, 27 Feb. 2023 See All Example Sentences for toady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toady
Verb
  • With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.
    Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Others might tell you that hosting an awards show is a thankless gig, but Bargatze doesn’t seem fussed.
    Lacey Rose, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The only character who seems entirely transparent is Frederik, who can’t hide his resentment of his second-class spousal status or his contempt for the sycophants and mediocrities who cling to his wife like barnacles.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
  • This willingness of the AI to heap praise and act as a sycophant has worrying consequences for the populace as a whole.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Flattering, placating, and kowtowing only seem to spark escalating demands while defiance risks retaliation.
    Jeff Kingston, Time, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Pushback by viewers in Sinclair and Nexstar’s ABC markets, and the perception that the companies are kowtowing to the FCC chairman’s anti-liberal ideology, could be a factor to lead the companies to relent.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Such as holding court, choosing your sobriquet, and naming imbecilic lickspittles to our Kingsguard.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 7 July 2024
  • What happened to the idea that art and culture should be a contemptuous refuge from the mainstream, as opposed to this lickspittle, running dog accommodation to the mainstream?
    Billboard Staff, Billboard, 3 June 2022
Verb
  • Those who delay this fate the longest are bootlicking mediocrities — the survival of the sycophants.
    Michael Gerson, Anchorage Daily News, 18 Mar. 2018
Verb
  • But while almost every facet of TSITP is being fawned over in Reddit threads, Instagram posts, and viral TikTok videos (the soundtrack!
    Olivia Petter, Vogue, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Social media, then, too, was flooded with morally bankrupt leftists lauding the killing and fawning over the killer.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Rapidly spreading its toxic influence across the lands, Magatsu and its minions are a world-ending threat, and the early tutorial bit sees players square up against the baddie only to ultimately lose.
    Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • Flores will drool across the Irish Sea this week at the thought of welcoming a rookie quarterback making his first NFL start.
    Jason Lloyd, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
  • Keong says these pillow protectors slide easily over her puffiest pillows, wash up well at the laundromat, and help prevent her new pillows from getting too drooled-on to be presentable for overnight guests.
    Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toady. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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