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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
But at the end of the Cold War, state sponsors and their toadies lost ground. Audrey Kurth Cronin, Foreign Affairs, 21 Dec. 2011 This won’t end well, especially in a no-guardrails administration staffed by a how-high team of enablers and toadies. Bret Stephens, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 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
  • As a storyteller, Tyagi isn’t too fussed about making his plot persuasive — the ease with which Nair and his co-counsel Dilreet Gill, played by Ananya Panday, manage to uncover evidence defies logic.
    Anupama Chopra, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
  • Throughout the footage, Leah, from Fort Worth, Texas, can be seen fussing Lunch Box and fawning over her sweet foster pup.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025
Noun
  • Conservative media, once a proud home to voices like Charles Krauthammer, Jonah Goldberg, and Bill Kristol, now platforms ignorant Trump sycophants who have no use for conservative principles — or principles of any kind.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
  • Hitler surrounded himself with sycophants, had zero tolerance for dissent and demanded unwavering loyalty.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • That was part of a broader DeSantis attack against the House for kowtowing to liberal trial lawyers.
    Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 14 June 2025
  • On one side is a Senate GOP almost entirely representing lower-cost states that is tired of kowtowing to the House; on the other side is a handful of House members whose electoral wins gave Republicans the majority, and the ability to even write a party-line tax bill.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Instead, the president and his frenzied lickspittles pumped up the volume.
    Pat Beall, Sun Sentinel, 13 June 2025
  • Republican lickspittles like Lindsey Graham and Jim Banks praised Trump and trashed Zelenskyy while Russian leaders rejoiced.
    Maureen Dowd, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Celebrities on the publicity circuit who are accustomed to the usual techniques and tricks of interviewers—softball questions, fawning compliments—find themselves in a different and disconcerting dynamic.
    Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025
  • Not only was President Joe Biden in serious decline, Karine Jean-Pierre — celebrated in numerous fawning media profiles — was a rotten White House press secretary.
    Rich Lowry, National Review, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Negan banished him and seized control of the Dama’s minions.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 8 June 2025
  • Eve’s drive for revenge also is a problem for the Ruska Roma, as The Director long has enjoyed an agreement with The Chancellor that neither’s minions will interfere with the other’s.
    Mark Meszoros, Boston Herald, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Leaning over him, Mary drools into Stack’s mouth, her appetite soon his own.
    Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 25 June 2025
  • The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends learning the signs of overheating in dogs such as excessive panting, restlessness, excessive drooling, unsteadiness, or abnormal gum and tongue color.
    Kelsey Monstrola, USA Today, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Before her family arrives, Bree tries to shoot Grady, but once Grady’s henchman captures Diller, she’s forced to make a choice: drop the gun or watch her son die.
    Keith Langston, People.com, 21 June 2025
  • In a moment of sly genius, Duke gained entry by concealing himself as one of Lyle’s ghostly henchmen using a rubber band and a piece of white tissue as his disguise.
    Hazlitt, Hazlitt, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Toady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toady. Accessed 2 Jul. 2025.

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