bootlicks
Shamelessly flatters superiors
Bootlicks is the verb form of bootlick, meaning to behave in a servile, obsequious manner toward someone in authority in hopes of gaining favor.
A bootlicker literally licks someone's boots—a vivid image of degrading submission.
He bootlicks the boss constantly, hoping for a promotion.
The term carries strong contempt for the person doing it, suggesting they've sacrificed dignity for advancement.
Servile self-seeking flatterers
- toadiesServile flatterers seeking favor
- fawnsFlatters obsequiously
- grovelsShows servile deference
- flattersPraises insincerely for advantage
kowtows · brown-noses · yes-men · apple-polishes · curries favor · ingratiates · submits · defers
Workplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
office politics · corporate · ladder-climbing · career · advancement · preferential treatment · nepotism · cronyism
sycophants
Servile self-seeking flatterers
flatters · kowtows · brown-noses · yes-men · apple-polishes · curries favor · ingratiates · submits · defers · obsequious
boss
Workplace superior
- supervisorOne who directs workers
- managerOne who directs others
- promotionRank increase or publicity
favoritism · office politics · corporate · ladder-climbing · career · advancement · preferential treatment · nepotism · cronyism · sucking up
dictator
Ruler with total control
loyalist · partisan · apparatchik · collaborator · enabler · lackey · puppet · minion · henchman · acolyte
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, brownnosers
bootlicksdefies
Openly resists or challenges
rebels · resists · stands up to · challenges · opposes
bootlickscriticizes
Expresses unfavorable judgment
rebukes · tells it like it is · calls out · chastises · censures