Pander: meaning, definitions and examples

Use 'pander' when someone is playing to the lower desires or weaknesses of others, often in a morally wrong manner. This term generally has a negative connotation.

• The politician was accused of pandering to the fears of the public instead of offering real solutions.
• The show panders to the audience's basest instincts.

Use 'cater to' for situations where you provide what someone wants or needs, often in a commercial or service-oriented context.

• The hotel aims to cater to business travelers.
• The new app caters to the needs of busy professionals.

Select 'indulge' when someone allows themselves or others to enjoy something that's not necessarily good for them, often to a large degree.

• She decided to indulge in a piece of chocolate cake.
• He indulges his children with expensive toys.

Employ 'appease' when you want to describe the act of pacifying someone by giving in to their demands, often to keep peace or avoid conflict.

• She tried to appease the client by offering a discount.
• The government took measures to appease the protestors.

Choose 'flatter' when someone gives compliments, often exaggerated, to please or win favor.

• He tried to flatter his boss to get a promotion.
• She flattered her friend by praising her outfit.

Used in situations where someone is indulging the desires or weaknesses of others, often in a self-serving or unethical manner.

• He tried to pander to the crowd by making unrealistic promises.
• The politician was accused of pandering to special interest groups.

A term used when someone is obsequious or overly submissive to those in power, usually for personal gain. It has a highly negative connotation.

• The sycophant was always agreeing with the manager, hoping for a promotion.
• He couldn't stand the sycophants in the office, always brown-nosing to get ahead.

Often refers to someone who gives excessive compliments, usually in order to gain favor or manipulate.

• She was known as a relentless flatterer, always finding ways to compliment her boss.
• Don't listen to him, he's just a flatterer seeking promotion.

Informally used to describe someone who performs menial tasks for another person, often with a connotation of servility.

• He treated his assistant like a flunky, assigning him all the tedious work.
• The executive was surrounded by flunkies eager to please.

Informally used to describe someone who flatters or ingratiates themselves with someone in authority, often used derogatorily.

• Nobody liked the toady who was always trying to get the boss's approval.
• She became a toady, constantly complimenting her superior in hopes of getting a raise.