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.

It’s not just that the humor often feels too topical or reliant on pop culture, but that the culture it’s relying on is pandering to younger audiences.

From Salon • Apr. 19, 2026

First, good on Mazzulla to straight-up treat the kid as the reporter he clearly is, and answer the question directly, without pandering or turning it into some sort of saccharine after-school special.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 21, 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

"There is no truth in the allegations that the government is pandering to Islamists," Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to interim leader Muhammad Yunus, told the BBC.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2025

We’d been taught that worrying about inmates’ concerns was tantamount to pandering, that it almost demeaned an officer.

From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover