What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ingratiation
Example
She tried to win the boss's favor through ingratiation, always complimenting his ideas. [ingratiation: noun]
Example
He was ingratiate himself with the new neighbors by offering to help them move in. [ingratiate: verb]
sycophancy
Example
The politician was accused of sycophancy for constantly praising the president's policies. [sycophancy: noun]
Example
She resented his sycophantic behavior, feeling that he was only being nice to her to get something in return. [sycophantic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ingratiation is a more common word than sycophancy in everyday language. Ingratiation is a term that is used in a variety of contexts, including social and professional settings, while sycophancy is a more specialized term that is typically used in discussions of politics or power dynamics.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ingratiation and sycophancy?
Sycophancy is a more formal word than ingratiation. It is often used in academic or professional contexts to describe unethical behavior or power dynamics, while ingratiation is a more casual term that is used in everyday conversation.
