kowtows

Meanings

Noun

• a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission
• plural of kowtow

Verb

• bend the knees and bow in a servile manner
• try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

Synonyms

bootlick, fawn, genuflect, kotow, kowtow, scrape, suck up, toady, truckle