kowtowing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

On Tuesday, Colbert claimed CBS management is kowtowing to Carr and showing a lack of corporate courage.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 18, 2026

Bennett argued presciently that by kowtowing to radicals, “a great university was brought low by the very forces which modern universities came into being to oppose: ignorance, irrationality and intimidation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

Those early signs of kowtowing were bad indicators that the members of Youngstown State University’s faculty union just couldn’t get behind.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2025

It will not want to be seen kowtowing to Washington.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2025

I don’t know why, but right then it finally dawned on me that Papa had wanted to please Grandpa out of respect and gratitude, not from kowtowing.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns