Synonyms for kowtower
- apple-polisher
- ass-kisser
- backscratcher
- backslapper
- bootlicker
- brownnose
- doter
- fawner
- flatterer
- flunky
- kiss-ass
- lackey
- minion
- teacher's pet
- yes-man
- yes-person
MOST RELEVANT
Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the
Philip Lief Group.
WORD ORIGIN
also kow-tow, 1804, from Chinese k'o-t'ou custom of touching the ground with the forehead to show respect or submission, literally "knock the head," from k'o "knock, bump" + t'ou "head." The verb in the figurative sense of "act in an obsequious manner" is from 1826. Related: Kowtowed; kowtowing.
MORE RELATED WORDS FOR KOWTOWER
brownnoser
nounsycophant, toadyRoget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the
Philip Lief Group.