A kowtower is someone who seeks to win favor by being subservient or overly accommodating to those in power. Synonyms for kowtower include sycophant, toady, flatterer, fawner, brown-noser, yes-man, lickspittle, ass-kisser, bootlicker, and groveler. These terms all describe someone who is willing to sacrifice their own principles and integrity in order to curry favor with someone in a position of authority. While such behavior may sometimes be successful in achieving short-term goals, it ultimately undermines the individual's credibility and reputation in the long term. It is important to be authentic and true to oneself, rather than constantly seeking the approval of others.