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
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
-
This may suggest that current safety guardrails and training methods may not address these gaps in AI outputs, and that a potentially dangerous sycophancy problem persists across different model generations.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
-
Another problem with Rutte’s strategy is that there is little evidence that sycophancy, no matter how extreme, has produced significant long-term change in Trump’s views.—
Susan B. Glasser,
New Yorker,
26 June 2025
Adjective
-
Early Tuesday in Israel—Monday night in Washington—the top headline on Israeli news sites was not Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump, or his sycophantic nomination of the president for the Nobel Peace Prize.—
Gershom Gorenberg,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
-
These AIs have become sycophantic, cheerleading, and reinforcing any ideas put forth by the user, without critical feedback or reflection.—
Nisha Talagala,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Many houses of worship host events encouraging members to vote — Souls to the Polls is an important event in many Black churches, for example — and some churches are polling places themselves.—
Lauren Costantino
Updated July 20,
Miami Herald,
20 July 2025
-
The church is in the process of raising $75,000 to attain its own permanent space of worship and build newer generations’ faith, according to O’Connor.—
Olivia Cyrus
July 20,
Sacbee.com,
20 July 2025
Noun
-
The incident causes much stress for Josh, as his adoration for Winfrey is a running joke throughout the series.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
20 July 2025
-
The sight of Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and AJ McLean caused a level of ear-splitting adoration that has been trailing the guys for 30 years.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
-
His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Noun
-
Treating it as such is an insidious form of idolatry.—
Walt Shelton,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
-
The Muhammad Ali Center previously told The Courier Journal the cultural center doesn't have a statue of Ali out of respect for his Islamic faith, which forbids idolatry.—
Killian Baarlaer,
The Courier-Journal,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
It will not be subservient to the prime minister—or to any one person.—
HARTOSH SINGH BAL,
Foreign Affairs,
30 June 2025
-
Latinas of all backgrounds have endured being typecast as a slutty Maria or subservient Lupe.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Toadying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/toadying. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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