Sycophantic: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe someone excessively flattering or behaving in an ingratiating manner to gain favor, often with a negative connotation.

• His sycophantic behavior towards the boss annoyed everyone in the office.
• She received the promotion purely because of her sycophantic tendencies.

Indicates a person who is overly submissive and eager to please, typically in a way that is seen as insincere or overly servile.

• The waiter’s obsequious manners made the customers uncomfortable.
• Her obsequious praise seemed more like flattery than genuine admiration.

Describes someone showing exaggerated flattery or affection, used especially when seeking favor or approval. This can be seen as disingenuous.

• The employee's fawning over the new manager was hard to watch.
• He accepted the fawning compliments with a patronizing smile.

Refers to someone who shows an excessive willingness to serve or please others, often implying a loss of personal dignity.

• His servile attitude towards his superiors earned him little respect.
• The servile assistant never dared to express her own opinions.

Describes a person willing to comply with others submissively. It often carries a connotation of lower status or lack of independence.

• She had a subservient role in the household, always putting others' needs before her own.
• His subservient nature made him an easy target for exploitation.

Used when describing someone who excessively praises or compliments someone of higher status to gain favor, often insincerely.

• The intern's sycophantic behavior towards the CEO was obvious to everyone in the office

More general use when someone is giving someone else compliments, which might be sincere or insincere.

• Her flattering remarks about his new haircut made him blush

Describes someone trying to gain favor or approval by being overly pleasant, agreeable, or polite, often seen as manipulative.

• He adopted an ingratiating tone when speaking to the board members, hoping to win their support

Describes someone who is excessively or ingratiatingly flattering, often in a greasy or insincere way, has a negative connotation.

• His unctuous tone and false compliments made everyone distrust him immediately

Refers to someone who is excessively obedient or attentive to someone in authority, often to a servile degree.

• The waiter's obsequious nature made the guests uncomfortable, as he hovered over their table constantly