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flattery; sycophancy; adulation
「追従」 has another reading with different meanings.
上司への追従ばかりでは信頼を失う。
Only flattering your boss will cause you to lose trust.
彼の追従は見え透いていて逆効果だった。
His flattery was transparent and had the opposite effect.
権力者に追従する者は軽蔑されがちだ。
Those who fawn on the powerful tend to be despised.