DictionarylackeySubservient follower
noun

lackey

LAK-ee/ˈlæki/

A servant or follower who obediently serves someone powerful.

The lackey trails the executive, carrying her belongings and eagerly accepting another command.

An obsequious office follower trails a powerful executive, bowing eagerly under her belongings while accepting yet another trivial command.
Etymology

A laquais was a footman or servant. The meaning shifted from someone employed to serve to someone contemptibly obedient to a powerful person; the French word’s deeper origin is unknown.

In context

The Hill199:12
we are article one of the constitution, not foot lackey for Donald Trump and JD Vance. It is time that we stand up for our constitutional role to defend the freedoms of Americans.
Happening Now: Bowser, DC Officials Testify Before House On Oversight Of Nation’s Capital

More examples

  • The wealthy merchant sends a lackey to fetch his coat.
  • She refuses to act as a lackey for the party leadership.
  • The dictator surrounds himself with lackeys who never question his orders.

Forms

lackey · lackeys

Similar words

flunky
Emphasizes low status and menial duties more than personal loyalty.
sycophant
Emphasizes flattery intended to win favor rather than obedient service.
henchman
Usually serves a powerful person by carrying out wrongdoing.