Sycophancy: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in formal or academic settings to describe the behavior of excessively praising someone to gain personal advantage. It often carries a negative connotation.

• Her sycophancy towards the powerful executives was obvious during the meeting.
• The professor warned against sycophancy, emphasizing the importance of genuine feedback.

Used in more formal or literary settings to describe someone who is overly submissive or eager to please, often to a distasteful extent.

• His obsequiousness was evident as he bowed and scraped before the king.
• The obsequiousness of the assistant made everyone uncomfortable.

Commonly used to describe praise or compliments given to someone, sometimes sincerely, but often to achieve a personal gain or manipulate. It can be positive or negative depending on the intent.

• His flattery won her trust quickly.
• The salesperson's flattery was transparent and seemed insincere.

Used informally and often derogatively to describe someone who flatters or submits to another person, usually someone in power, to gain favor.

• His shameless bootlicking of the boss irritated his colleagues.
• The politician accused his opponent of engaging in bootlicking to climb the political ladder.

Informally describes the act of ingratiating oneself with someone in authority through excessive flattery or obedience. It has a very negative connotation.

• She is always brown-nosing the manager, hoping to get a promotion.
• The team became frustrated with his constant brown-nosing.

Used to describe excessive flattery that is insincere and often meant to gain favor. It usually has a negative connotation.

• His sycophancy was obvious to everyone, making his praise seem hollow.
• The CEO was surrounded by sycophancy, and it affected his decision-making.

Refers to intense and often excessive admiration or praise, generally in a positive or neutral context unless specified otherwise.

• The actor was uncomfortable with the adulation from his fans.
• Her adulation of her mentor was sincere and grounded in genuine respect.

Describes compliance with an order, request, or law; submission to another’s authority, typically used in a neutral or positive way.

• The dog's obedience was a result of meticulous training.
• The child's obedience in the classroom impressed the teacher.

Pertains to an excessive willingness to serve or please others, often with a negative connotation as it implies a lack of self-respect.

• His servility towards his boss was embarrassing to witness.
• She couldn't stand his servility and preferred someone with more backbone.

Means behaving obsequiously to someone important, often with a negative connotation related to insincerity and self-interest.

• The new employee's toadying to the manager did not go unnoticed.
• He earned his promotion through shameless toadying, not hard work.