fawning

[ faw-ning ]

See synonyms for: fawning fawnings fawningly on Thesaurus.com

adjective

seeking favor by flattery or a servile way of behaving:The billionaire’s donation earned him a fawning front-page news story in the Globe and Mail.This detailed and favorable book review is not a fawning endorsement, as the reviewer takes the author to task on several points.

noun

the act or practice of seeking favor by flattery or a servile way of behaving:On the second-last night of the cruise, we witnessed the fawning of the ship’s wait staff as they jockeyed for a healthy tip.

Origin of fawning

First recorded in 1325–75; fawn² + -ing² for the adjective; fawn² + -ing¹ for the noun

My job is to cover you, not fawn over you or rip you — just report on you.
Fox News cuts away from Kayleigh McEnany news conference after she alleges vote fraud with no evidence | Elahe Izadi, Sarah Ellison | November 9, 2020 | Washington Post
Of course, this could be explained by the admittedly large percentage of the audience composed of fawning film students.
James and the Giant Internet Company: Franco and AOL Get Kissy Faces | Amy Zimmerman | September 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Sharpton, who once confessed he will never criticize the president, in his transparent fawning for access, has gotten it.
The Unsung Heroism of Jesse Jackson | David Masciotra | September 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Between the Walters fawning and the Colbert debacle, Amaitis is fortunate only to be paying a record fine.
Las Vegas Betting Scandal Earns $5.5 Million Fine but the Boss Walks | John L. Smith | January 21, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The fawning strangers ask questions like “What was it like…being shot at?”
American Dreams: The Essential Book of 2012 | Nathaniel Rich | December 28, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST

The Guardian's Luke Harding, calling Assange a "fawning" interviewer, totally missed the point.
I Love the Julian Assange Show! | Tracy Quan | July 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
They all immediately got up to make room for him, and handed him a chair in a manner the most servile and fawning.
Travels through the South of France and the Interior of Provinces of Provence and Languedoc in the Years 1807 and 1808 | Lt-Col. Pinkney
The principles of liberty were the scoff of every grinning courtier, and the Anathema Maranatha of every fawning dean.
English: Composition and Literature | W. F. (William Franklin) Webster
There was nothing fawning in his attitude; he conducted himself with the dignity of a fallen monarch.
Four American Indians | Edson L. Whitney
Mr. Fogg, in the presence of Julius Marston, was properly obsequious, but not a bit fawning.
Blow The Man Down | Holman Day
Again he calls upon his fawning admirers to annihilate Christianity, to hunt it down, to vilify it, to ruin it.
The War Upon Religion | Rev. Francis A. Cunningham

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