fawning

[ faw-ning ]

adjective

1. seeking favor by flattery or a servile way of behaving:

   The billionaire’s donation earned him a fawning front-page news story in the Globe and Mail.

   This detailed and favorable book review is not a fawning endorsement, as the reviewer takes the author to task on several points.

noun

1. the act or practice of seeking favor by flattery or a servile way of behaving:

   On the second-last night of the cruise, we witnessed the fawning of the ship’s wait staff as they jockeyed for a healthy tip.

Other Words From

• fawn·ing·ly adverb
• fawn·ing·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fawning¹

First recorded in 1325–75; fawn ² + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective; fawn ² + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun

Example Sentences

When Trump talks so fawningly about dictators, authoritarians, and autocrats how do you make sense of it relative to that political tradition and style of leadership?

From Salon

It’s hard to imagine the last time Trump, who cossets himself with an entourage of fawning sycophants, has been spoken to in that fashion.

From Los Angeles Times

People like Vance always punch down and kiss up, which is why he's always fawning over Trump, a man he once privately compared to Hitler.

From Salon

The Republican nominee filled the rest of his post with tedious name calling — “Crooked,” “Marxist” — and attacks on the insufficiently fawning journalists of ABC.

From Salon

Republicans complain about what they see as irrational exuberance among their opponents and fawning coverage in the press.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flattering