bootlicker
Toady seeking favor
A bootlicker is someone who flatters or fawns over people in power to gain favor—the image being someone so servile they'd literally lick another's boots.
The term is always contemptuous: He's nothing but a bootlicker for management.
The verb bootlick and noun bootlicking share this meaning of obsequious behavior toward authority.
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- flunkeyServile attendant or follower
apple-polisher · ass-kisser · groveler · fawner · minion · stooge · doormat · pushover
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- smarmyInsincerely ingratiating
deferential · slavish · compliant · meek · docile · spineless · craven · sycophantic
One lower in rank
- underlingPerson of lower rank
- minionServile subordinate
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- henchmanLoyal criminal subordinate
vassal · peon · puppet · follower · retainer · factotum · functionary · servant
Excessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- kowtowingSubmissive display of respect
- brownnosingServile flattery seeking favor
- ass-kissingFawning for favor
sycophancy · flattery · obsequiousness · toadying · apple-polishing · ingratiating · pandering · simpering
Benefiting oneself primarily
- opportunismExploiting circumstances for gain
- careerismExcessive focus on advancement
- ambitionDesire for achievement
- advancementForward movement or promotion
manipulation · scheming · climbing · networking · protection · survival · insecurity · cowardice
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- lackeyServile follower or minion
flunkey · apple-polisher · ass-kisser · groveler · fawner · minion · stooge · doormat · pushover · crawler
servile
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
smarmy · deferential · slavish · compliant · meek · docile · spineless · craven · sycophantic · oleaginous
subordinate
One lower in rank
henchman · vassal · peon · puppet · follower · retainer · factotum · functionary · servant · attendant
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- kowtowingSubmissive display of respect
- brownnosingServile flattery seeking favor
ass-kissing · sycophancy · flattery · obsequiousness · toadying · apple-polishing · ingratiating · pandering · simpering · cringing
self-serving
Benefiting oneself primarily
- opportunismExploiting circumstances for gain
- careerismExcessive focus on advancement
- ambitionDesire for achievement
advancement · manipulation · scheming · climbing · networking · protection · survival · insecurity · cowardice · self-preservation
- compound slangairhead, birdbrain, blockhead, bonehead, dimwit
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
- smooth talkerssmooth talker, smooth-talker, sweet talker, sweet-talker, fast talker
- office politicsoffice politics, backstabbing, power plays, favoritism, nepotism
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, brownnosers
- hangers-onhanger-on, tagalong, leech, parasite, freeloader
bootlickerrebel
Authority defier
independent thinker · dissident · maverick · nonconformist · freethinker
bootlickertruth-teller
One who speaks accurately
straight shooter · critic · gadfly · whistleblower · honest broker
bootlickerwhistleblower
Insider who reports misconduct
gadfly · critic · challenger · upstander · provocateur