time-serving
Shifting with power
Time-serving describes behavior that prioritizes personal advancement over principle, shifting positions to please whoever holds power.
A time-serving politician changes views to match public opinion; a time-serving bureaucrat tells superiors what they want to hear.
The word is always disparaging, suggesting cowardice or opportunism: His time-serving colleagues abandoned him when he fell from favor.
Following commands willingly
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- meekHumbly unassertive
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
passive · compliant · subordinate · dutiful · biddable · tractable · yielding · accommodating
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- flattererOne dispensing insincere praise
- lackeyServile follower or minion
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
obsequious · ingratiating · toadying · pandering · calculating · scheming · cunning · shrewd
Without ethical concern
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- insincereFeigning belief or feeling
deceptive · spineless · compliant · acquiescent · pliable · malleable · compromising · wavering
obedient
Following commands willingly
- deferentialShowing humble submission
- docileEasily controlled or taught
- meekHumbly unassertive
submissive · passive · compliant · subordinate · dutiful · biddable · tractable · yielding · accommodating · adaptive
sycophant
Servile praise-giver
- toadyObsequious flatterer seeking favor
- flattererOne dispensing insincere praise
- lackeyServile follower or minion
fawning · obsequious · ingratiating · toadying · pandering · calculating · scheming · cunning · shrewd · conniving
amoral
Without ethical concern
- unscrupulousLacking moral principles
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- dishonestInclined to deceive
insincere · deceptive · spineless · compliant · acquiescent · pliable · malleable · compromising · wavering · disloyal
time-servingprincipled
Having strong moral beliefs
upright · honorable · incorruptible · ethical · righteous
time-servingidealistic
Pursuing unrealistic standards
selfless · altruistic · self-sacrificing · dedicated · devoted
time, serve, times, timed, timing, timely, timeless, timer, timers