Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun kowtow

1 sense of kowtow

Sense 1
kowtow, kotow -- (a former Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead as a sign of respect or submission)
       => bow, bowing, obeisance -- (bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting)

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb kowtow

2 senses of kowtow

Sense 1
scrape, kowtow, genuflect -- (bend the knees and bow in a servile manner)
       => bow -- (bend the head or the upper part of the body in a gesture of respect or greeting; "He bowed before the King")

Sense 2
fawn, toady, truckle, bootlick, kowtow, kotow, suck up -- (try to gain favor by cringing or flattering; "He is always kowtowing to his boss")
       => flatter, blandish -- (praise somewhat dishonestly)