Sycophancy Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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sycophancy

[ˈsɪkəfənsi ]

Definitions

^{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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sycophancy	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.
obsequiousness	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.
flattery	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.
bootlicking	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.
brown-nosing	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.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sycophancy	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.
adulation	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.
obedience	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.
servility	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.
toadying	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.

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

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

People often engage in sycophancy to boost their own status or to avoid conflict, illustrating a complex social dynamic.
Research shows that sycophantic behavior can be linked to lower self-esteem, as some individuals feel insecure and seek validation through flattery.
In workplaces, sycophantic behavior can lead to toxic environments, where genuine merit and contributions are overlooked.

Pop Culture

Movies like 'The Devil Wears Prada' depict characters who exemplify sycophancy in high-pressure work environments.
In politics, historical figures have been accused of sycophancy to gain favor with powerful leaders, influencing public perception and policies.
Television shows often highlight sycophantic characters, emphasizing their attempts at manipulation for personal gain.

Literature

Classic literature often portrays sycophants as characters who manipulate others, leading to dramatic tensions and moral lessons.
Shakespeare's works feature several characters who engage in sycophantic behavior to advance their own ambitions, showcasing timeless truths about human nature.
Modern novels often explore the psychological depth of sycophantic characters, delving into their motivations and the consequences of their actions.

Ethics

Sycophancy can blur the lines of ethical behavior, raising questions about authenticity and integrity in personal and professional relationships.
Philosophers critique sycophantic behavior as it undermines accountability and fosters environments lacking genuine feedback.
The concept challenges individuals to reflect on the consequences of both flattery and honesty in their interactions.

Origin of 'sycophancy'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Greek 'sykophantes', meaning 'informer' or 'accuser', originally describing someone who brought false accusations.
In ancient Greece, the term was associated with someone who slandered others for personal gain.
The prefix 'syko-' relates to figs, suggesting that early users might have accused others of fig theft.

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.

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.

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35992 croquettes
35993 importuning
35994 deify
35995 sycophancy
35996 fissuring
35997 voyaged
35998 bassinet
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