FAWN Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'fawn' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fawn are cower , cringe , toady , and truckle . While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention. // waiters fawning over a celebrity

Q: When is it sensible to use 'cower' instead of 'fawn'?

The meanings of cower and fawn largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people. // cowering before a bully

Q: When might 'cringe' be a better fit than 'fawn'?

While the synonyms cringe and fawn are close in meaning, cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility. // a cringing sycophant

Q: When would 'toady' be a good substitute for 'fawn'?

The synonyms toady and fawn are sometimes interchangeable, but toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude. // toadying to his boss

Q: When is 'truckle' a more appropriate choice than 'fawn'?

Although the words truckle and fawn have much in common, truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior. // truckling to a powerful lobbyist

fawn

verb

ˈfȯn

Definition of fawn next

as in to fuss

to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior a student who could not wait to fawn over the new teacher

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word fawn distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of fawn are cower, cringe, toady, and truckle. While all these words mean "to behave abjectly before a superior," fawn implies seeking favor by servile flattery or exaggerated attention.

waiters fawning over a celebrity

When is it sensible to use cower instead of fawn?

The meanings of cower and fawn largely overlap; however, cower suggests a display of abject fear in the company of threatening or domineering people.

cowering before a bully

When might cringe be a better fit than fawn?

While the synonyms cringe and fawn are close in meaning, cringe suggests a bowing or shrinking in fear or servility.

a cringing sycophant

When would toady be a good substitute for fawn?

The synonyms toady and fawn are sometimes interchangeable, but toady suggests the attempt to ingratiate oneself by an abjectly menial or subservient attitude.

toadying to his boss

When is truckle a more appropriate choice than fawn?

Although the words truckle and fawn have much in common, truckle implies the subordination of oneself and one's desires or judgment to those of a superior.

truckling to a powerful lobbyist

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of fawn When Georgie Grasso cooked a rather traditional Bakewell tart in Pastry Week’s signature challenge this season, the judges fawned over her adherence to convention. —

Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 28 Nov. 2024 Revelers fawned over the over-the-top ice sculptures serving up Silent Pool gin martinis, and caviar bites thanks to Aureta, whose very own caviar tins come labeled with her name and likeness. —

Zachary Weiss, Vogue, 23 Dec. 2024 Ebeling and Alvarez continued to shoot projects together and frequently sent each other mutually fawning messages. —

E. Alex Jung, Vulture, 17 Dec. 2024 He’s appeared with Trump at rallies and hosted a fawning interview with him on X, his social media platform. —

Cnn.com, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fawn

Recent Examples of Synonyms for fawn

Verb

The world saw this five-man group as an ideal of friendship, a community working and living together, fussing and fighting but making rough beauty out of it.

— Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 21 Jan. 2025
Palmieri also has a 16-team no-trade list but, like Nelson, certainly should not be fussed about being moved to a Cup contender for a few months.

— Arthur Staple, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025