Sycophant: meaning, definitions and examples

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sycophant

 

[ หˆsษชkษ™fษ™nt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

flattering behavior

A sycophant is a person who uses flattery to get what they want from influential people. They often praise others excessively and insincerely in order to gain favor or advantage.

Synonyms

flatterer, toady, yes-man

Examples of usage

  • He was known as the office sycophant, always complimenting the boss to get ahead.
  • The sycophant ingratiated himself with the celebrity in hopes of getting a role in the movie.
Context #2 | Noun

politics

In politics, a sycophant is someone who behaves obsequiously towards a powerful figure to gain advantage or favor. They tend to agree with everything the leader says and do not offer independent or critical thinking.

Synonyms

bootlicker, courtier, flunky

Examples of usage

  • The minister surrounded himself with sycophants who never questioned his decisions.
  • The president's inner circle was filled with sycophants who constantly praised him.

Translations

Translations of the word "sycophant" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น bajulador

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคšเคพเคชเคฒเฅ‚เคธ (chฤpalลซs)

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Schmeichler

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penjilat

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟั–ะดะปะตัะฝะธะบ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ pochlebca

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใŠในใฃใ‹ไฝฟใ„ (obekka tsukai)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท flagorneur

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ adulador

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yalaka

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์•„์ฒจ๊พผ (acheomkkun)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู…ู†ุงูู‚ (munafiq)

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ lichotnรญk

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ lichotnรญk

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฐ„ๅชš่€… (chวŽnmรจi zhฤ›)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ prilizovalec

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ smjaรฐr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐา“ั‹ะผะฟะฐะท (jaฤŸympaz)

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ›แƒšแƒ˜แƒฅแƒ•แƒœแƒ”แƒšแƒ˜ (mlikvneli)

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yaltaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ adulador

Etymology

The term 'sycophant' originated in ancient Greece, where a 'sycophant' referred to someone who informed against or accused others falsely to gain advantage. Over time, the meaning evolved to describe individuals who use flattery or servile behavior to achieve their goals.

See also: sycophancy, sycophantic.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,872 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.