Some people are eager to please others, to the point where they’ll literally do anything for someone else. It will help to know a few words to describe these types of people. That’s where this article comes in, and we’ll help you come up with good ones.
What Do You Call Someone Who Is Willing To Do Anything For Someone Else?
There are many good words available to use for this case. Try out one of the following to see which you like best:
- Selfless
- Altruistic
- Self-sacrificing
- Devoted
- Loving
- Caring
- Pushover
- People pleaser
- Complaisant
- Subservient
- Servile
- Slavish
The preferred version is “selfless” if you want to be positive or “pushover” if you want to be negative. There are two different connotations surrounding someone who will do anything for someone else, and we will cover both in the following sections.
Selfless
“Selfless” is a great way to show that someone is always willing to do anything for someone else. If someone says they are unhappy or need help, a selfless person will be the first to help them.
The definition of “selfless,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “caring more for what other people need and want rather than for what you yourself need and want.”
- Your selfless acts prove that you really care about the people in your life, and I appreciate that.
- I’m very selfless, and I’ll make sure everyone around me is as happy as they can be.
- You should be more selfless. You might be surprised by how it makes you feel.
Altruistic
“Altruistic” people usually offer charity or aid when they are required. If someone is in need, they’ll happily provide whatever is needed to make sure they no longer require help.
The definition of “altruistic,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “showing a wish to help or bring advantages to others, even if it results in disadvantage for yourself.”
- If you’re not altruistic, then I don’t see why you try. It’s more fun to give to people when they need it.
- I’m altruistic when it counts. I’ll do anything to please and look after the people around me.
- I’m far too altruistic for my own good sometimes, but that’s the way I like to live.
Self-Sacrificing
“Self-sacrificing” people will often give up a lot of what they have to make others feel better. For example, if they have plenty of time spare, they will give it up to help someone else if it makes the other person’s life easier.
The definition of “self-sacrificing,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “giving up what they want so that other people can have what they want.”
- I’m far too self-sacrificing for my own good sometimes. But I like the way it makes others feel.
- You should be a little more self-sacrificing toward the people you love.
- She’s self-sacrificing, which is why she doesn’t appear to have much, but she has a lot of value in her life.
Devoted
“Devoted” is a great way to show that we care deeply about someone. This care is more than enough when it comes to doing anything in our power to make them happy.
The definition of “devoted,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “extremely loving and loyal.”
- You’re quite devoted, aren’t you? I really like that about you.
- As a devoted husband, it is my duty to make sure my wife is as happy as she can possibly be.
- I’d love to have someone devoted to me in my life. Knowing they’re doing everything to please me would make me happy.
Loving
Similar to “devoted,” we can use “loving” to show that we are very fond of someone. We will often do everything with love to show that we are there for others.
The definition of “loving,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “showing a lot of love towards someone.”
- She’s a loving wife, and she’ll always get the little things done for me to make my life easier.
- I’m a loving boyfriend, so I’ll do anything to please the girl I love.
- She’s very loving. I think you should give her more of a chance before writing her off.
Caring
The last positive word is “caring.” We can use it when we want to show that we are supportive in every way. We will make sure all the people in our lives are as happy as they can be if we are “caring.”
The definition of “caring,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “kind and gives emotional support to others.”
- I’m very caring, so I’ll happily do anything as long as the people I love are happy.
- You should be more caring. If you did more for the people you care about, you’d be surprised by how you feel.
- I’d like to try being more caring, but I simply can’t bring myself to do it. I’m just not into that feeling!
Pushover
“Pushover” is the best negative word we can use. It shows that someone is easily walked all over. If someone wants something, you can expect a pushover to do anything for them to make sure they get it.
The definition of “pushover,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “something that is easy to do or to win, or someone who is easily persuaded or influenced or defeated.”
- He’s a pushover. If you keep telling him you don’t like him, he’ll keep doing things to make you change your mind.
- She’s too much of a pushover for me. I need to be friends with someone of a stronger character.
- Can you stop being a pushover for two seconds? It’s pathetic!
People Pleaser
A “people pleaser” usually cares more about what other people think rather than how they feel. They would care more if someone didn’t like them, so they would act in a way that meant that many people liked them (even if it was more of a fake friendship).
The definition of “people pleaser,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “someone who cares a lot about whether other people like them and always wants others to approve of their actions.”
- Do you have to be such a people pleaser? It’s incredibly annoying, and I don’t care for it.
- He’s a people pleaser, which is why so many people seem to like him. I see through his ruse, though.
- Can we not support the people pleasers anymore, please? They’re clearly trying to do everything to make themselves look friendly.
Complaisant
“Complaisant” is a great way to show that someone is willing to do anything to help others. It can be both positive and negative, but it typically works best in a negative sense to show that someone will do anything to please those around them.
The definition of “complaisant,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “willing to satisfy others by being polite and fitting in with their plans.”
- My husband is quite complaisant toward me. I love that because it’s easier to control him.
- She’s too complaisant for her own good. One of these days, she’s going to get in a lot of trouble.
- I’m too complaisant. I know that, but I don’t know what I should do to stop myself from pleasing others.
Subservient
“Subservient” means that someone is akin to a “servant.” We can use this word when it’s clear that someone else has the subservient person wrapped around their finger. They will ask them to do something, and the subservient person will always help.
The definition of “subservient,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “willing to do what other people want, or considering your wishes as less important than those of other people.”
- As subservient as he is, I do quite like having him around. He’s pathetic, but he’s fun.
- She’s very subservient toward the teacher. Anything he wants her to do, she’ll do it.
- I didn’t want to be this subservient, but I didn’t know how else to please the people around me.
Servile
“Servile” is similar because it uses the root word that “servant” refers to. It shows that someone is eager to serve and please others, meaning they will do anything that is asked of them (even if those things are bad).
The definition of “servile,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “too eager to serve and please someone else in a way that shows you do not have much respect for yourself.”
- Your servile attitude makes it too easy to manipulate you. You should have thought about that before applying here.
- I don’t want to be servile anymore. I’m trying to make amends, but it’s hard because I worry people hate me.
- He’s too servile to be taken seriously. He’ll do anything to please the boss.
Slavish
“Slavish” comes from the root word of “slave.” We can use it to show that someone is always obeying the commands of others around them. It gets to the point where they can’t even think independently anymore.
The definition of “slavish,” according to The Cambridge Dictionary, is “obeying completely and having no original thoughts or ideas.”
- You’re far too slavish to be taken seriously. Why did you think it was good to act like that?
- Stop being so slavish toward her. You can think for yourself, and you don’t need to please her all the time.
- I didn’t mean to sound so slavish with that. I’m really sorry if I came across as desperate!
You may also like: “Anything For You” – Meaning Explained (3 Good Synonyms)
Martin holds a Master’s degree in Finance and International Business. He has six years of experience in professional communication with clients, executives, and colleagues. Furthermore, he has teaching experience from Aarhus University. Martin has been featured as an expert in communication and teaching on Forbes and Shopify. Read more about Martin here.
