servile
Excessively eager-to-please
Servile describes behavior that is excessively eager to please or obey, suggesting a lack of independence or self-respect: a servile assistant who agreed with everything the boss said.
The word carries strong contempt—servile flattery isn't just polite, it's degrading.
Servile can also mean relating to servants or slavery, though this use is rare outside historical contexts.
Servilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
- oleaginousUnpleasantly ingratiating or greasy
smarmy · adulatory · flattering · blandishing · groveling · kowtowing · cringing · prostrate
sycophantic
Servilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
oleaginous · smarmy · adulatory · flattering · blandishing · groveling · kowtowing · cringing · prostrate · bootlicking
meek
Humbly unassertive
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- compliantYielding to others' wishes
- obedientFollowing commands willingly
deferential · acquiescent · passive · yielding · pliant · biddable · tame · dutiful · resigned · unassertive
menial
Lowly and unskilled
underling · vassal · peon · drudge · thrall · henchman · yes-man · doormat · slavish · bondsman
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
- humilityhumbleness, humble, meekness, modesty, modest
- submissivesubmissive, obedient, docile, meek, compliant
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
- cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
serviledominant
Having superior influence
domineering · imperious · authoritative · commanding · masterful
servileproud
Satisfied by accomplishment
dignified · self-respecting · noble · stately · regal
servilefree
Without payment or restriction
independent · autonomous · liberated · self-governing · sovereign
- room serviceHotel meal delivery
- customer serviceAssistance for buyers
- out of serviceNot currently functioning
- lip serviceInsincere expression of agreement
- community serviceUnpaid labor benefiting society
- delivery serviceTransports items to recipients
service, serving, services, servitude, disservice, subservient, serviceable, servility, serviceability