kowtowing
Bowing down submissively
Kowtowing is showing excessive deference or submission to someone.
The word comes from a Chinese ceremonial bow involving kneeling and touching the forehead to the ground.
In English, it's almost always figurative and negative—suggesting servile flattery or spineless capitulation: He accused the senator of kowtowing to corporate interests.
She refused to kowtow to unreasonable demands.
Utter physical or mental depletion
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- subservienceExcessive willingness to obey
- servilityExcessive willingness to please
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
sycophancy · obsequiousness · toadying · bootlicking · genuflection · bowing · cringing · abasement
Utter physical or mental depletion
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- traditionCustom passed through generations
Confucianism · emperor · mandarin · feudal · genuflection · incense · altar · veneration
Profound admiring respect
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
- tributeOffering of respect
- honorHigh regard, moral dignity
deference · esteem · admiration · regard · salute · acknowledgment · recognition · courtesy
Satisfying demands to prevent conflict
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- concessionYielding a point
- complianceAdhering to requirements
acquiescence · submission · subjugation · vassalage · fealty · allegiance · tribute · diplomacy
prostration
Utter physical or mental depletion
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
- subservienceExcessive willingness to obey
- servilityExcessive willingness to please
fawning · sycophancy · obsequiousness · toadying · bootlicking · genuflection · bowing · cringing · abasement · ingratiation
prostration
Utter physical or mental depletion
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
tradition · Confucianism · emperor · mandarin · feudal · genuflection · incense · altar · veneration · formality
reverence
Profound admiring respect
- venerationProfound admiring respect
- homageExpression of deep respect
- tributeOffering of respect
honor · deference · esteem · admiration · regard · salute · acknowledgment · recognition · courtesy · politeness
appeasement
Satisfying demands to prevent conflict
- capitulationComplete yielding to demands
- surrenderCease resistance, yield
- concessionYielding a point
compliance · acquiescence · submission · subjugation · vassalage · fealty · allegiance · tribute · diplomacy · negotiation
- Lunar New Yearred envelopes, lion dance, dragon dance, firecrackers, lanterns
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
- praiselauding, compliments, laudation, accolades, great job
- surrendersurrender, surrenders, surrendering, I surrender, capitulate
- pilgrimage ritescircumambulation, prostration, ritual bathing, ritual washing, kora
- ritual gesturesgenuflect, genuflection, prostration, bowing, kneeling
kowtowingdefying
Actively refusing obedience
standing up · resisting · asserting oneself · rebelling · confronting
kowtowingproud
Satisfied by accomplishment
self-respecting · dignified · unbowed · unbent · self-assured
kowtowingdefiance
Open resistance to authority
rebellion · insubordination · dissent · standing one's ground · confronting