as in fussing
to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior
a satirical novel about an amoral go-getter who toadies his way to the top of the corporate ladder
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in grovelling
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in fawning
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for toadying
Verb
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But this newsletter is more focused on how Trump and his fawning functionaries speak about and for him.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025 -
Their Instagram announcement—a carousel of the couple's lavish garden engagement photoshoot—has been liked more than 35 million times since it was posted on August 26, with Swifties around the world fawning over the singer's gigantic ring.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
This sycophancy isn't accidental.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
25 Aug. 2025
-
The most common way users interact with AI is through chatbots, which mimic natural human conversations and are designed to be agreeable and flattering, sometimes to the point of sycophancy.—
Beatrice Nolan,
Fortune,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
This was the mid 1980s and tandem skydiving hadn’t been popularized yet, so his father, Roger, adjusted accordingly by stuffing carpet padding into the leg pads to stop him from fussing.—
Angelina Liu,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The Texas State Legislature was even more obsequious, approving a $15 million incentive package in 2013.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025
-
Softening the strongman The film starts with the loyal and somewhat obsequious journalist Pavel Zarubin interviewing Putin at the end of his long working day in the Kremlin, at 1:30 a.m.—
Peter Rutland,
The Conversation,
9 May 2025
Noun
-
Photographer Osama Fathi has captured a stunning view of Perseid meteors crossing the bright ribbon of the Milky Way over the ruins of an ancient settlement in Egypt dedicated to the worship of the crocodile god Soknopaios.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Declines in regular worship and denominational belonging can reshape community networks that historically have been tied to charity, schooling and local politics.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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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
Adjective
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Chris Chambers’ older brother Eyeball, one of Ace’s sycophantic followers, was played by Bradley Gregg.—
Sezin Devi Koehler September 1,
EW.com,
1 Sep. 2025
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This process is what has created sycophantic AI models, such as variations of GPT-4o, over the past year.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
28 Aug. 2025
Noun
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His commentary across the film, which potently mixes 16mm film and contemporary digital imagery that encompass the multiple eras of Adrian’s life, switches between adoration and regret befitting a father still contending with such a devastating loss.—
Vikram Murthi,
IndieWire,
3 Sep. 2025
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In theatrical Leo, the love planet brings passion and flair, heightening our desire for affection and adoration.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Toadying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toadying. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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