What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obsequious
Example
The waiter was being obsequious to the wealthy customer, hoping for a larger tip. [obsequious: adjective]
Example
She found his obsequious behavior towards his boss to be insincere and annoying. [obsequious: adjective]
sycophantic
Example
The politician's sycophantic behavior towards the president was obvious to everyone. [sycophantic: adjective]
Example
She found his sycophantic compliments to be insincere and manipulative. [sycophantic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Obsequious is more commonly used than sycophantic in everyday language. Obsequious is often used in workplace or hierarchical settings, while sycophantic is less common and may be seen as more formal or literary.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obsequious and sycophantic?
Both obsequious and sycophantic are formal words with negative connotations. However, sycophantic may be seen as more formal or literary due to its less frequent use in everyday language.
