kiss-ups
Eager favor-seekers
Kiss-ups are people who ingratiate themselves with those in authority through excessive flattery or compliance.
The term is mildly contemptuous, suggesting the behavior is calculated rather than sincere: The boss surrounded himself with kiss-ups who never challenged his ideas.
Related to kiss-ass, but slightly softer.
One who flatters superiors
- sycophantServile praise-giver
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- apple-polisherObsequious flatterer of authority
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
flatterer · toady · fawner · teacher's pet · suck-up · groveler · lackey · minion
Excessive insincere praise
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- obsequiousnessServile eagerness to please
servility · toadying · pandering · kowtowing · brown-nosing · apple-polishing · complimenting · praising
brown-noser
One who flatters superiors
- sycophantServile praise-giver
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- apple-polisherObsequious flatterer of authority
yes-man · flatterer · toady · fawner · teacher's pet · suck-up · groveler · lackey · minion · doormat
flattery
Excessive insincere praise
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
obsequiousness · servility · toadying · pandering · kowtowing · brown-nosing · apple-polishing · complimenting · praising · agreeing
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
kiss-upsrebels
Armed opposition fighters
troublemakers · mavericks · insubordinates · agitators · dissidents
kiss-upswhistleblowers
Those exposing organizational misconduct
gadflies · iconoclasts · free spirits · crusaders · challengers