as in fussing
to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior
a student who could not wait to fawn over the new teacher
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in obsequious
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
as in sycophancy
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fawning
Adjective
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The Texas State Legislature was even more obsequious, approving a $15 million incentive package in 2013.—
Guthrie Scrimgeour,
Rolling Stone,
17 June 2025 -
Softening the strongman The film starts with the loyal and somewhat obsequious journalist Pavel Zarubin interviewing Putin at the end of his long working day in the Kremlin, at 1:30 a.m.—
Peter Rutland,
The Conversation,
9 May 2025
Noun
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The closest historic analogy to what’s happening in Trump’s Washington is the court of Louis XIV, which brimmed with competitive sycophancy and insider deals.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
23 July 2025
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Combined with the mandatory fawning sycophancy required of everyone in his orbit, the President fits the profile of an emotionally insecure man whose bluster collapses when push comes to shove.—
Doug McIntyre,
Oc Register,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Bahrain is ruled by Sunnis and has a mostly Shiite population permanently restless over its servile condition.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
13 June 2025
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His servile defense secretary has threatened to deploy the military in other cities.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The incident causes much stress for Josh, as his adoration for Winfrey is a running joke throughout the series.—
Raven Brunner,
People.com,
20 July 2025
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The sight of Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell, Howie Dorough and AJ McLean caused a level of ear-splitting adoration that has been trailing the guys for 30 years.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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The film’s slavish dedication to its source material — the challenging of which would open its own can of worms — demands ignoring all potential complexity in favor of didactic conclusions.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
19 June 2025
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The Red Sox organization’s slavish devotion to analytics has a downside, Lynn said.—
Bill Speros,
Boston Herald,
15 June 2025
Adjective
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Shell was ousted as CEO of NBCUniversal in 2023 after being the subject of complaints about inappropriate contact with a subordinate, CNBC anchor Hadley Gamble.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
24 July 2025
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After forcing Cook to resign as chief of staff in 2020 for a violation of city policy stemming from another relationship with a subordinate employee, the mayor brought him back to help lead his 2023 reelection campaign.—
Hayleigh Colombo,
IndyStar,
2 June 2025
Noun
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Shortly after taking office, Trump threw out DHS policies to limit where ICE arrests can take place, granting ICE the right to conduct raids in places of worship, schools, and hospitals.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
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The new suit seeks to expand that injunctive relief to other houses of worship.—
Sophie Carson,
jsonline.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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It will not be subservient to the prime minister—or to any one person.—
HARTOSH SINGH BAL,
Foreign Affairs,
30 June 2025
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Latinas of all backgrounds have endured being typecast as a slutty Maria or subservient Lupe.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Fawning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fawning. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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