What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
fawning
Example
The politician was fawning over the wealthy donors at the fundraiser. [fawning: verb]
Example
She had a fawning attitude towards her boss, always agreeing with everything he said. [fawning: adjective]
obsequious
Example
The new employee was obsequious towards the boss, always offering to do extra work. [obsequious: adjective]
Example
He was criticized for his obsequious behavior towards the wealthy clients. [obsequious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fawning is more commonly used in everyday language than obsequious. It is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while obsequious is more formal and less common.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between fawning and obsequious?
Obsequious is a more formal word than fawning, and is typically used in more formal contexts such as academic writing or professional settings. Fawning is more casual and informal in tone, and is used more often in everyday language.
