variants
also flunkey
or flunkie
1
as in servant
a person hired to perform household or personal services
since I'm just the flunky who files his papers, I've no idea where he is
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sycophant
a person who flatters another in order to get ahead
a rock star who saw through the phonies and the flunkies
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of flunky
Lou’s father runs the town, sort of like a low-level mobster in a mob that only employs flunkies and toadies with nothing better to do.
—
Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024
Brennan’s flunkies created a fake online profile to access the network used by the Senate Intelligence Committee, whose Democratic members were at the time investigating the CIA’s torture program.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 9 July 2023
In episode 5, Manfredi viciously killed a mob flunky, Nico, who Tina said had molested her while her father was serving a 25-year prison sentence.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2022
And Julia’s cousin, the feckless Lord Cassidy (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), is amusing as a flunky for Julia’s demands.
—Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for flunky
Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 13 Mar. 2024
Brennan’s flunkies created a fake online profile to access the network used by the Senate Intelligence Committee, whose Democratic members were at the time investigating the CIA’s torture program.
—Becket Adams, National Review, 9 July 2023
In episode 5, Manfredi viciously killed a mob flunky, Nico, who Tina said had molested her while her father was serving a 25-year prison sentence.
—Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 20 Dec. 2022
And Julia’s cousin, the feckless Lord Cassidy (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), is amusing as a flunky for Julia’s demands.
—Natalia Winkelman, BostonGlobe.com, 29 June 2022
See All Example Sentences for flunky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flunky
Noun
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Japanese folklore indicates the fish belonged to servants of the sea god Ryūjin.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA TODAY,
19 Feb. 2025
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Banksy removed one of the servants and added a sinking oil tanker and two figures in hazmat suits hauling a barrel of toxic waste.—
David Matthews,
New York Daily News,
18 Feb. 2025
Noun
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This is a man who, in just over two weeks of his second term, has careened from one disastrous decision to another, to the point where even his most loyal sycophants are struggling to keep up.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
5 Feb. 2025
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However, Elez seems closely linked to Musk, who is often criticized for surrounding himself with sycophants.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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One of Knuckles’ many lackeys ultimately finds Rose by … going to her apartment building, where her name is prominently displayed on her mailbox?—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
6 Feb. 2025
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Federal employees shouldn't be misled by slick talk from unelected billionaires and their lackeys.—
Kristan Hawkins,
Newsweek,
6 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Of course, being a junior senator and attaching your name to legislation that has little chance of being enacted—none of those have bills passed—is very different from being Vice-President and chief lickspittle to Trump.—
John Cassidy,
The New Yorker,
22 July 2024
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Such as holding court, choosing your sobriquet, and naming imbecilic lickspittles to our Kingsguard.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
7 July 2024
Noun
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An assistant discovered Baena's body at a Los Angeles-area home around 10:30 a.m.—
Jen Juneau,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
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The Huskers’ 40-year-old running backs coach is the only assistant without terms of a contract revealed for this year.—
Mitch Sherman,
The Athletic,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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But the joke’s on us — Republican senators, who are the only players with any real power to stop them, have simply decided not to, all so that President Camacho can play at government with his favorite suck-ups.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2025
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Sara Fischer, Dave Lawler Dec 23, 2024 - Politics & Policy Media's suck-up moment Fearing political retribution and strained by new business challenges, media companies that once covered President-elect Trump with skepticism — and in many cases, disdain — are reconsidering their approach.—
Sara Fischer,
Axios,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The Cowboys found a toady to cede to Jerry Jones’ every demand.—
Sean Keeler,
The Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2025
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The high toady will be 61 degrees and the low will be 39 degrees.—
Elainie Barraza,
Orlando Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This was the 21st home loss of the season for the Bulls, who have only won 10 games in front of their own fans this year.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Feb. 2025
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The feature includes interviews with Kinkade’s closest friends and family, his critics, and his fans.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flunky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flunky. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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