Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Attempting to win favor by flattery: The behavior of someone who uses excessive praise, compliments, or servile attention to gain approval or special treatment from another person.
   • Attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery: Specifically describes the act of fawning over or ingratiating oneself with individuals in positions of power, authority, or high status.

Usage

• The adjective "bootlicking" is used to describe a person, their behavior, or their attitude. It is a disapproving term that implies insincerity, weakness, and a lack of integrity. It is typically used attributively (before a noun) or predictively (after a linking verb).
• Attributive use: Describes a noun directly.
  • He was tired of the bootlicking assistant who agreed with everything the boss said.
• Predictive use: Describes the subject via a linking verb like "is" or "was".
  • Her behavior at the party was utterly bootlicking; she followed the CEO around all night.

Examples

• The journalist was criticized for writing a bootlicking article about the politician, omitting any mention of his failures.
• He got the promotion not through merit but through bootlicking and sycophancy.
• I despise the bootlicking culture in that office where people laugh at the manager's unfunny jokes.

Advanced Usage

• "Bootlicking" can be used in a figurative sense to describe actions beyond verbal flattery, such as performing unnecessary favors or displaying exaggerated deference.
  • His bootlicking included bringing coffee every morning and offering to wash his superior's car.
• The term often carries a strong connotation of moral contempt from the speaker or writer.

Variants and Related Words

• Bootlick (verb): To behave in a servile or flattering way.
  • He would bootlick anyone he thought could help his career.
• Bootlicker (noun): A person who bootlicks; a sycophant or toady.
  • The director was surrounded by bootlickers who never told him the truth.

Synonyms

• Sycophantic: Behaving or done in an obsequious way to gain advantage.
• Obsequious: Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree.
• Fawning: Displaying exaggerated flattery or affection.
• Toadying: Acting in an obsequious manner to gain favor.

Antonyms

• Independent: Free from outside control; not influenced by others.
• Assertive: Having or showing a confident and forceful personality.
• Frank: Open, honest, and direct in speech or writing.

Related Phrases and Idioms

• Kiss up to someone: (Informal idiom) To flatter or be servile toward someone, especially to gain favor.
  • He's always kissing up to the new boss.
• Suck up to someone: (Informal, derogatory idiom) To ingratiate oneself with someone through flattery or servile behavior.
  • She's just sucking up to the teacher to get a better grade.

Adjective

1. attempting to win favor by flattery
2. attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery