kowtow

noun

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

verb

try to gain favor by cringing or flattering

bend the knees and bow in a servile manner

Roots

koutoukowtow- · Chinese · knock the head

Synonyms for kowtow

genuflectv bootlickv genuflectionn toadyn obeisancen trucklen grovelv kneelv curtsyn obsequiousnessn servilityn

Synonyms & related words for kowtow

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of kowtow — including genuflect, bootlick, genuflection, toady, obeisance, truckle. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to kowtow

Explore words related to kowtow — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include kotow, bowing, genuflexion, bowingly, obsequiously, subserviently, obsequious, bowed. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for kowtow

Common synonyms for kowtow include genuflect, bootlick, genuflection, toady, obeisance, truckle, grovel, kneel — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does kowtow come from?

The word kowtow breaks down into one root of Chinese origin: the root kowtow-, from Chinese koutou (“knock the head”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.