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doggishly

doggishly

9.1
In a way that is too eager to please someone
  • adverb
  • /ˈdɔɡɪʃli/
translation icon : de manera servil
  • He followed his boss doggishly, always eager to do whatever was asked of him.

Examples

  • The assistant waited doggishly for instructions, never daring to speak up.

  • She laughed doggishly at every joke, hoping to win their approval.

  • He followed her doggishly around the office.

  • She smiled doggishly at her boss for praise.

  • He followed his boss doggishly, always eager to do whatever was asked of him.

  • She laughed doggishly at every joke, hoping to win their approval.

  • The assistant waited doggishly for instructions, never daring to speak up.

Synonyms

slavishly
vsdoggishly
4 8.4

In a way that copies others exactly without thinking

is more about eager pleasing than simple imitation or copying
obsequiously
vsdoggishly
1 9.9

In a way that tries too hard to please someone

is similar but stresses fawning eagerness over mere obedience
subserviently
vsdoggishly
1 8.2

You do what someone tells you without asking questions

is more about eager pleasing and fawning than mere obedience
docilely
vsdoggishly
1 5.5

In a calm, obedient way that follows instructions

is more eager to flatter and please rather than just obedient
servilely
vsdoggishly
8.8

Trying too hard to please someone

is the same idea but with a more fawning tone
sycophantically
vsdoggishly
  • Offensive
8.8

In a way that gives too much praise to someone important to get their favor

is similar but stresses eager submissiveness rather than strategic flattery
cringingly
vsdoggishly
  • Archaic
8.9

In a way that is too eager to please someone important

is similar but emphasises eager desire to please rather than shameful grovelling
suppliantly
vsdoggishly
  • Formal
8.4

In a humble, begging way to ask for something

is more about eager pleasing and flattery than humble pleading
cajolingly
vsdoggishly
8.2

In a gentle, flattering way to persuade someone

is more about eager servility and fawning than persuasion

Antonyms

121 2.9

Without help from other people

3 7.3

With a look or voice that shows strong dislike and no respect

How Submissive

obsequiously
1 9.9
doggishly
9.1
submissively
1 5.3
deferentially
  • Formal
1 7.0

Surface Forms

doggishly positive

Morphology

doggishly = doggish (semi-transparent) = dog + ish + ly

The formation from adjective to adverb by '-ly' is routine and transparent.

Etymology

Doggishly is easy to remember: picture a dog wagging and trying hard to please its owner. The parts dog + -ish + -ly mean 'like a dog' and 'in that way', so doggishly can mean being overly eager or fawning.