What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
pandering
Example
The politician was accused of pandering to the wealthy donors by promising tax cuts. [pandering: verb]
Example
The comedian's jokes were criticized for pandering to the lowest common denominator. [pandering: gerund or present participle]
sycophancy
Example
The employee's sycophancy towards the boss was obvious to everyone in the office. [sycophancy: noun]
Example
The journalist was criticized for her sycophantic coverage of the celebrity's latest project. [sycophantic: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Pandering is more commonly used than sycophancy in everyday language, especially in political or social contexts. Sycophancy is less common and tends to be used in more formal or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between pandering and sycophancy?
Sycophancy is generally considered more formal and is often used in professional or workplace contexts. Pandering, on the other hand, can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
