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

3 senses of suck up

Sense 1
absorb, suck, imbibe, soak up, sop up, suck up, draw, take in, take up -- (take in, also metaphorically; "The sponge absorbs water well"; "She drew strength from the minister's words")

Sense 2
cozy up, cotton up, shine up, play up, sidle up, suck up -- (ingratiate oneself to; often with insincere behavior; "She is playing up to the chairman")
       => ingratiate -- (gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts)

Sense 3
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)