bootlicking Synonyms
Another word for bootlicking
• noun (Context 1)
The practice of behaving in an excessively servile or sycophantic way toward someone in power in order to gain favor or advantage.
"She earned her promotion through hard work and competence rather than shameless sycophancy."
• adjective (Context 2)
Behaving in an excessively obsequious, servile, or sycophantic manner toward someone in authority to gain favor.
"The manager surrounded himself with sycophantic assistants who never questioned his bad decisions."
• verb (Context 3)
To seek the favor or goodwill of someone in authority through servile flattery or sycophantic behavior (present participle of bootlick).
"He spent the entire meeting kowtow the executive board in hopes of securing the director role."
Opposites of bootlicking
The opposite of bootlicking shifts depending on context. Common opposites include: