bootlick
Grovel for favor
To bootlick is to behave obsequiously toward someone in power, flattering and fawning to gain favor.
A bootlicker is someone who does this habitually—the image is of someone so servile they'd lick another person's boots clean.
He bootlicked his way to a promotion.
The term is always contemptuous.
Young deer, or flatter
- grovelHumble oneself servilely
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- brownnoseExcessive flattery for advantage
apple-polish · pander · court · truckle · cringe · crawl · genuflect · prostrate
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- brownnoserServile flatterer seeking favor
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
flunkey · groveler · apple-polisher · ass-kisser · doormat · minion · flatterer · lickspittle
Servilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
unctuous · cringing · slavish · toadying · ingratiating · smarmy · oleaginous · mealy-mouthed
Excessive insincere praise
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- blandishmentFlattering words to persuade
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
- soft-soapPersuade through flattery
schmooze · praise · overpraise · puffery · smarm · compliment · cajolery · blarney
fawn
Young deer, or flatter
- grovelHumble oneself servilely
- kowtowExcessive deference shown physically
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
brownnose · apple-polish · pander · court · truckle · cringe · crawl · genuflect · prostrate
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- brownnoserServile flatterer seeking favor
yes-man · flunkey · groveler · apple-polisher · ass-kisser · doormat · minion · flatterer · lickspittle · hanger-on
obsequious
Servilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- sycophanticServilely flattering
groveling · unctuous · cringing · slavish · toadying · ingratiating · smarmy · oleaginous · mealy-mouthed · subservient
flattery
Excessive insincere praise
- adulationExtravagant, servile praise
- blandishmentFlattering words to persuade
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
soft-soap · schmooze · praise · overpraise · puffery · smarm · compliment · cajolery · blarney · wheedling
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, brownnosers
bootlickdefy
Resist or challenge openly
rebel · resist · challenge · stand up to · oppose
bootlickspeak truth to power
Criticize those in charge
hold one's ground · stand one's ground · assert oneself · whistleblow