: a person who is ingratiating or fawning
a suck-up to the teacher

Examples of suck-up in a Sentence

I'd like to give my boss a birthday present, but I don't want to look like a shameless suck-up
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 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

Word History

First Known Use

1970, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of suck-up was in 1970

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Suck-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/suck-up. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!