grovelling
Crawling in deference
Grovelling is lying face down or crawling on the ground, typically in submission or humiliation.
The word now mostly describes servile, self-abasing behavior toward someone in power: He spent the meeting grovelling to the CEO.
The British spelling doubles the l; Americans write groveling.
Shrinking in discomfort
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- kowtowingSubmissive display of respect
- bowingBending forward in deference
scraping · prostrating · begging · pleading · bootlicking · toadying · gushing · cowering
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- meekHumbly unassertive
deferential · submissive · abject · humble · spineless · ingratiating · compliant · acquiescent
cringing
Shrinking in discomfort
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- crawlingMoving on hands, knees
- kowtowingSubmissive display of respect
bowing · scraping · prostrating · begging · pleading · bootlicking · toadying · gushing · cowering · sniveling
servile
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
meek · deferential · submissive · abject · humble · spineless · ingratiating · compliant · acquiescent · docile
grovellingproud
Satisfied by accomplishment
dignified · self-respecting · noble · upright · stately
grovellingdomineering
Aggressively asserting control
commanding · imperious · authoritative · lordly · masterful
grovellingdefiant
Openly resisting control
bold · assertive · unyielding · rebellious · insubordinate