fawner
- noun
- /ˈfɔːnər/
- Offensive
:
lameculo (vulgar)
- The employee's behavior as a fawner made her colleagues uncomfortable, as she sought approval through flattery.
Examples
-
At the office, Peter always acts like a fawner, flattering the boss to gain favor.
-
Add to that the foul-mouthed media fawners such as Rosey O, Michael Moore, Keith Overbite, Bill Maher, and that ilk.
Blog text (30) -
Why should God not be happier expressing Himself in loving human relationships or in the creativity of the artist than in being worshipped by cringing fawners upon His favors?
Academic text (1997) -
Many politicians become fawners during election season, excessively praising wealthy donors.
Synonyms
3
4.2
A person who gives fake praise to get someone's favor
2
9.6
A person who flatters someone in power to get favors
1
8.7
A person who flatters someone in power to get favours
A person who behaves very humbly to please others or avoid trouble
A person who tries too hard to please people in power
A person who flatters people in charge to gain favor
A person who praises a boss to get a favor
A person who praises others to get their approval
How Submissive
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Fawner comes from the verb fawn, which is linked in the mind to the noun fawn meaning 'young deer'; a helpful way to remember it is to picture a timid young deer always being friendly and eager to please. So a fawner is someone who 'flatters' others and tries too hard to gain their favor.