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Obsequious vs Kowtowing - What's the difference?

obsequious | kowtowing | Synonyms |

As an adjective obsequious

is obedient, compliant with someone else's orders or wishes.

As a verb kowtowing is

present participle of lang=en.

As a noun kowtowing is

the act of one who kowtows; a submissive bow.

obsequious

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • (archaic) Obedient, compliant with someone else's orders or wishes.
  • Excessively eager and attentive to please or to obey all instructions; fawning, subservient, servile.
  • * 1927 , (Thornton Wilder), (The Bridge of San Luis Rey) , p. 20
    • Translation falls especially short of this conceit which carries the whole flamboyance of the Spanish language. It was intended as an obsequious flattery of the Condesa, and was untrue.
  • (obsolete) Of or pertaining to obsequies, funereal.
  • *
    • … the survivor bound
    In filial obligation for some term
    To do obsequious sorrow…
  • *
    • Whilst I awhile obsequiously lament
    Th’ untimely fall of virtuous Lancaster.

    Usage notes

    * In modern usage, not to be confused with obsequies as the “funereal” sense has become obsolete.

    Synonyms

    * (fawning or subservient) fawning, ingratiating, servile, slavish, sycophantic, truckling, people pleaser, kiss-ass

    Related terms

    * obsequiously * obsequiousness

    kowtowing

    English

    Verb

    (head)

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • The act of one who kowtows; a submissive bow.
  • * 1910 , Robert Ames Bennet, The Shogun's Daughter
    • Yoritomo met their smiles and kowtowings and noisy insuckings of breath with an austere dignity that I took pains to imitate.