brownnose
Seek approval obsequiously
Brownnose means to curry favor through excessive flattery or obsequious attention—the image being of having one's nose up someone's backside.
The term is mildly vulgar but widely used: He brownosed his way to a promotion.
As a noun, a brownnose is someone who engages in such behavior.
Also spelled brown-nose.
Seek approval through flattery
- suck upFlatter for advantage
- cozy upSeek closeness strategically
- schmoozeChat to gain favor
- win overGain another's support
grovel · pander · appease · court · woo · endear · kiss up · play up to
Servile praise-giver
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- apple-polisherObsequious flatterer of authority
ass-kisser · lickspittle · flunky · lackey · crawler · groveler · doormat · hanger-on
Young deer, or flatter
- butter upFlatter insincerely for advantage
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
- complimentWords expressing approval
- praiseExpression of approval
adulation · charm · soft-soap · laud · extol · glorify · applaud · commend
Insincerely ingratiating
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
obsequious · fawning · servile · glib · slick · oily · insincere · false
Workplace superior
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- office politicsPower dynamics at work
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
climbing · corporate · ladder · advancement · ambitious · career · supervisor · manager
curry favor
Seek approval through flattery
win over · grovel · pander · appease · court · woo · endear · kiss up · play up to · toady
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
apple-polisher · ass-kisser · lickspittle · flunky · lackey · crawler · groveler · doormat · hanger-on · minion
fawn
Young deer, or flatter
- butter upFlatter insincerely for advantage
- sweet-talkFlatter to persuade
- complimentWords expressing approval
praise · adulation · charm · soft-soap · laud · extol · glorify · applaud · commend · acclaim
smarmy
Insincerely ingratiating
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- disingenuousFeigning ignorance or innocence
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
two-faced · obsequious · fawning · servile · glib · slick · oily · insincere · false · hollow
boss
Workplace superior
- promotionRank increase or publicity
- favoritismPreferential treatment of some
- office politicsPower dynamics at work
networking · climbing · corporate · ladder · advancement · ambitious · career · supervisor · manager · raise
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
brownnosedefy
Resist or challenge openly
rebel · resist · stand up to · challenge · confront
brownnosespeak truth to power
Criticize those in charge
tell it like it is · level with · call out · criticize · speak one's mind
brownnoser, brownnosers, brownnosing, brownnoses, brownnosed