toadyish
Obsequiously eager-to-please
Toadyish describes behavior characteristic of a toady—someone who flatters and fawns over people in power to gain favor.
The word suggests obsequious, sycophantic conduct: His toadyish manner around the boss made his coworkers uncomfortable.
It carries a note of contempt for the person displaying such servility.
Servilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- apple-polishingSycophantic behavior for advantage
- brownnosingServile flattery seeking favor
ass-kissing · crawling · creeping · lickspittle · yes-man · flunky · suck-up · lackey
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- deferentialShowing humble submission
groveling · cringing · meek · docile · compliant · acquiescent · obedient · slavish
Excessively and insincerely earnest
- smarmyInsincerely ingratiating
- oilyCovered in grease
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- smooth-talkingCharmingly persuasive in speech
ingratiating · buttery · oleaginous · greasy · smug · insincere · disingenuous · saccharine
Excessively praising, often insincerely
- adulatoryShowing excessive admiration
- effusiveUnrestrainedly emotional in expression
- gushingFlowing out forcefully
- complimentaryFree or expressing praise
overpraise · adulation · sweet-talk · soft-soap · blarney · puffery · hero-worship · idolizing
sycophantic
Servilely flattering
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- apple-polishingSycophantic behavior for advantage
brownnosing · ass-kissing · crawling · creeping · lickspittle · yes-man · flunky · suck-up · lackey · minion
servile
Excessively submissive, lacking independence
- subservientExcessively eager to obey
- submissiveReadily yielding to control
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
deferential · groveling · cringing · meek · docile · compliant · acquiescent · obedient · slavish · yielding
unctuous
Excessively and insincerely earnest
smooth-talking · ingratiating · buttery · oleaginous · greasy · smug · insincere · disingenuous · saccharine · cloying
flattering
Excessively praising, often insincerely
- adulatoryShowing excessive admiration
- effusiveUnrestrainedly emotional in expression
- gushingFlowing out forcefully
complimentary · overpraise · adulation · sweet-talk · soft-soap · blarney · puffery · hero-worship · idolizing · worshipful
toadyishindependent
Free from external control
proud · defiant · unsubmissive · self-respecting · assertive
toadyishsincere
Genuinely felt, not feigned
genuine · honest · forthright · candid · plainspoken