1. showing excessive respect or submission to someone in authority
Usage: often disapproving
2. bowing very low with one’s head touching the ground as a sign of respect
Usage: traditional Chinese custom

Examples

• The employees were tired of kowtowing to their demanding boss.
• She refused to keep kowtowing to unreasonable requests.
• The diplomat was accused of kowtowing to foreign powers.
• In ancient China, subjects were expected to kowtow before the emperor.
• He spent his career kowtowing to wealthy donors.
• The traditional ceremony involved kowtowing three times.
• Stop kowtowing and stand up for your principles.