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Sycophancy: meaning, definitions and examples

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sycophancy

 

[ ˈsɪkəfənsi ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

in politics

The act of trying to gain favor by flattering influential people. Sycophancy often involves insincere praise and excessive flattery.

Synonyms

bootlicking, brown-nosing, flattery, obsequiousness

Examples of usage

  • He was accused of sycophancy for constantly praising the dictator.
  • The politician's sycophancy towards the wealthy donors was evident in his speeches.
Context #2 | Noun

in workplace

The behavior of overly praising or ingratiating oneself with a boss or superior in order to gain advantages or promotions.

Synonyms

adulation, obedience, servility, toadying

Examples of usage

  • Her sycophancy towards the manager was transparent to everyone in the office.
  • His sycophantic attitude towards the CEO did not go unnoticed by his colleagues.

Translations

Translations of the word "sycophancy" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adulação

🇮🇳 चापलूसी

🇩🇪 Schmeichelei

🇮🇩 penjilat

🇺🇦 підлабузництво

🇵🇱 pochlebstwo

🇯🇵 お世辞

🇫🇷 flagornerie

🇪🇸 adulación

🇹🇷 yalakalık

🇰🇷 아첨

🇸🇦 تملق

🇨🇿 lichocení

🇸🇰 lichotenie

🇨🇳 谄媚

🇸🇮 laskanje

🇮🇸 smjaður

🇰🇿 жағыну

🇬🇪 მოამაგეობა

🇦🇿 yalançı tərif

🇲🇽 adulación

Etymology

The word 'sycophancy' originates from the Greek word 'sykophantes', which referred to informers or slanderers who would bring figs (sykon) as evidence. Over time, the term evolved to describe flattery or insincere praise to gain favor. In ancient Greece, sycophants were seen as dishonest and manipulative individuals. The negative connotation of sycophancy has persisted through the centuries, highlighting the disdain for those who seek favor through flattery.

See also: sycophant, sycophantic.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,995, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.