timeservers
Sycophants seeking advantage
A timeserver is someone who adapts their opinions and behavior to suit those in power, prioritizing personal advancement over principle or conviction.
The term is almost always derogatory, suggesting opportunism and a lack of backbone.
The department was full of timeservers who never challenged the director's decisions.
In computing, a time server is an entirely different thing: a networked device that provides accurate time synchronization to other computers.
Servile self-seeking flatterers
- yes-menAutomatic approval-givers
- flatterersThose offering insincere praise
- toadiesServile flatterers seeking favor
- trimmersCutting and shaping devices
chameleons · weathervanes · fence-sitters · panderers · accommodators · turncoats · expedient · calculating
People holding formal positions
- clerksAdministrative office employees
- paper-pushersClerical workers handling paperwork
- officialdomCollective administrative authorities
- administratorsPeople overseeing operations
placeholders · sinecure · incumbents · careerists · apparatchiks · government · institutional · ministries
Not participating or invested
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- passiveNot actively participating
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
- detachedApart or uninvolved
uninvolved · listless · phlegmatic · unenthusiastic · unresponsive · lethargic · blasé · nonchalant
Slow, persistent workers
- clock-watchersThose awaiting shift's end
- nine-to-fiveRegular office schedule
- underachieversThose performing below capacity
- deadwoodUnproductive people or things
coasters · nonachievers · uninspired · lackluster · dead-end · stagnant · unambitious · complacent
sycophants
Servile self-seeking flatterers
- yes-menAutomatic approval-givers
- flatterersThose offering insincere praise
- toadiesServile flatterers seeking favor
trimmers · chameleons · weathervanes · fence-sitters · panderers · accommodators · turncoats · expedient · calculating · brown-nosers
functionaries
People holding formal positions
- clerksAdministrative office employees
- paper-pushersClerical workers handling paperwork
- officialdomCollective administrative authorities
administrators · placeholders · sinecure · incumbents · careerists · apparatchiks · government · institutional · ministries · departments
disengaged
Not participating or invested
- indifferentLacking interest or concern
- passiveNot actively participating
- uncommittedNot bound to anything
detached · uninvolved · listless · phlegmatic · unenthusiastic · unresponsive · lethargic · blasé · nonchalant · aloof
plodders
Slow, persistent workers
- clock-watchersThose awaiting shift's end
- nine-to-fiveRegular office schedule
- underachieversThose performing below capacity
deadwood · coasters · nonachievers · uninspired · lackluster · dead-end · stagnant · unambitious · complacent · routine
timeserversstalwarts
Devoted, reliable supporters
idealists · true believers · diehards · crusaders · zealots
timeserversmartyrs
Those killed for convictions
heroes · whistleblowers · truth-tellers · resisters · dissidents