brownnosers
Obsequious praise-givers
Brownnosers are people who ingratiate themselves through excessive flattery or fawning behavior, typically toward authority figures.
The image is crude—someone with their nose so far up a superior's backside that it gets dirty.
The term is mildly vulgar but common in casual speech: The brownnosers always get the best assignments.
Also spelled brown-nosers.
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- smarmyInsincerely ingratiating
compliant · submissive · deferential · slavish · cringing · spineless · insincere · calculating
Excessive insincere flattery
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- toadyingObsequious behavior seeking favor
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
apple-polishing · kowtowing · pandering · ingratiating · obsequiousness · flattering · sweet-talking · soft-soaping
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- lackeyServile follower or minion
flunkey · lickspittle · apple-polisher · flatterer · minion · stooge · doormat · puppet
servile
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
smarmy · compliant · submissive · deferential · slavish · cringing · spineless · insincere · calculating · ambitious
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- toadyingObsequious behavior seeking favor
- schmoozingCasual strategic socializing
groveling · apple-polishing · kowtowing · pandering · ingratiating · obsequiousness · flattering · sweet-talking · soft-soaping · ass-kissing
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
lackey · flunkey · lickspittle · apple-polisher · flatterer · minion · stooge · doormat · puppet · hanger-on
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
brownnosersstraight shooters
Forthright, honest individuals
mavericks · nonconformists · truth-tellers · straight talkers · independents
brownnosersrebels
Armed opposition fighters
dissenters · contrarians · whistleblowers · insubordinates · dissidents