KISSING UP TO Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

kissing up to

phrase

present participle of kiss up to

as in sucking (up)

to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior He was always kissing up to his professors.

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for kissing up to

currying favor

Phrase

To some critics, their public manifestos appeared aimed at currying favor with investors ahead of their public listings and the midterm elections, when the political tides could turn with many voters opposed to data centers.

— Garance Burke, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2026
Pelley also accused the program’s executives of prioritizing political bias and currying favor with President Donald Trump‘s administration.

— Brenton Blanchet, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of currying favor

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

kissing off

kissing up to

kiss of death

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“Kissing up to.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/kissing%20up%20to. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of kissing up to

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