toadying

Definitions

The act of behaving in an obsequious or servile way toward someone important to gain advantage.

Excessive flattery or sycophancy directed at a superior.

Examples

The manager was tired of the constant toadying from employees who hoped to secure a promotion through flattery.

His toadying behavior toward the director made him unpopular with his colleagues.

Synonyms

fawning sycophantic obsequious bootlicking ingratiating servile cringing

Antonyms

assertive independent defiant haughty arrogant unsubmissive proud