Synonym Chooser

How is the word truckle distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of truckle are cower, cringe, fawn, and toady. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

When would cower be a good substitute for truckle?

While in some cases nearly identical to truckle, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When is cringe a more appropriate choice than truckle?

While the synonyms cringe and truckle are close in meaning, cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When is it sensible to use fawn instead of truckle?

The words fawn and truckle can be used in similar contexts, but fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When might toady be a better fit than truckle?

The words toady and truckle are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

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 truckle Unless Trump’s art of the deal is all about truckling to Putin. Maureen Dowd, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025 Garbarino enjoyed his time with the Southern river rats and mountain folk, and their refusal to truckle to authority delights him to this day. David Samuels, Town & Country, 18 Oct. 2013 During the campaign, most of Trump’s fallen rivals blasted him in exceptional terms—before truckling to support him against Hillary Clinton. James Fallows, The Atlantic, 8 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for truckle
Verb
  • No crying or fussing or squirming.
    Danielle Pergament, SELF, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Really good, and if you’re not fussed about mod cons or hybrid tech, one can be sat on your driveway for just £18,850 ($24,388).
    Matthew MacConnell, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Xi became China’s most powerful political figure in half a century by promoting a new Chinese nationalism—not by kowtowing to anyone, least of all the president of the United States.
    Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 11 Apr. 2025
  • And Smoke and Stack are too suspicious to kowtow to these gate crashers.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Lots of people coming, knocking on his door, fawning, hoping for a good deal.
    Terry Gross, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Lots of people coming, knocking on his door, fawning, hoping for a good deal.
    Terry Gross, NPR, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The only other psychological need that rivals his thirst for toadying is the pursuit of .
    Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Hamlet’s toadying friends, the hangers-on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, are Izzard’s own talking hands, popping up to face her like a pair of Muppets.
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 11 Feb. 2024
Verb
  • Pay attention for signs of distress: panting, drooling, a high heart rate, dry nose, lethargy, or even vomiting, staggering or seizures.
    Kate Bradshaw, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
  • The most-common ones include vomiting; diarrhea; lethargy; loss of appetite; drooling; tremors or seizures; difficulty breathing; and pale gums.
    Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Truckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/truckle. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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