bootlicked
Groveled for approval
Bootlicked is the past tense of bootlick, meaning to have flattered or fawned over someone in authority in a servile, degrading way.
The image is of someone so desperate for favor that they would literally lick another's boots: He bootlicked his way into the executive suite.
The noun bootlicker describes someone who habitually does this.
Pleased by compliments
- fawnedFlattered servilely
- groveledShowed servile humility
- kowtowedShowed excessive submission
- toadiedFlattered in servile way
sucked up · brown-nosed · apple-polished · curried favor · ingratiated · pandered · simpering · obsequious
Advanced in rank
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- bossWorkplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managementOrganizing and directing resources
corporate · climber · careerism · politics · advancement · networking · opportunism · self-serving
flattered
Pleased by compliments
toadied · sucked up · brown-nosed · apple-polished · curried favor · ingratiated · pandered · simpering · obsequious · servile
promoted
Advanced in rank
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- bossWorkplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
management · corporate · climber · careerism · politics · advancement · networking · opportunism · self-serving · manipulative
- fawnedgroveled, kowtowed, toadied, flattered, curried favor
- grovelingfawned, kowtowed, prostrated, toadied, brownnosed
bootlickedself-reliant
Able to provide independently
independent · assertive · self-respecting · dignified · autonomous
bootlickeddefied
Openly resisted authority
rebelled · resisted · stood up to · challenged · opposed