pandering

[pan-der-ing] / ˈpæn dər ɪŋ /

VERB

cater to, indulge

Synonyms

STRONG

cajole gratify massage please satisfy snow soap stroke

WEAK

brownnose fall all over lay it on play the game play up to politic soften up suck up to

Antonyms

STRONG

anger annoy disappoint disturb frustrate upset

WEAK

deny dissatisfy refuse

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.

She'd grown weary of pandering to pop tropes of the "strong, independent female"; and wanted to present a "more honest and vulnerable" version of herself.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2026

Despite the horror vacui and digital pandering, the objects brought together here by lead curator Rosina Buckland describe multiple facets of samurai culture with breadth and brilliance.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 7, 2026

When someone photographs a drink she made, it’s pride, not pandering.

From Salon • Nov. 30, 2025

To Didion, Kennedy represented something insidious in the American character: the desire for voters to admire politicians like movie stars, and the pandering of American politicians to provide heroes made of clay.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

Ricky considered Luke for another second before glancing back to Doreen, a pandering smile on his face.

From "We'll Fly Away" by Bryan Bliss