Standard Lemma guide

yesmanship

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An atmosphere in which people claim to agree with leadership for political reasons, despite holding other opinions privately.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • Like corruption, yesmanship also pervades the Indian bureaucracy. -Brij Mohan Sharma, K. R. Bombwall, L. P. Choudhry

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The state of being a yes man.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Examples

  • He chose his lieutenants for their yesmanship and promoted according to political loyalty, not seniority or merit. -Dennis Bloodworth

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English yesman Proto-Germanic *skapjaną Proto-Germanic *-skapiz Proto-West Germanic *-skapi Old English -sċiepe Middle English -schipe English -ship English yesmanship From yesman + -ship.