Definitions
- Referring to the act of flattery or praise in order to gain favor or advantage. - Describing someone who uses excessive flattery or praise to gain favor or advantage. - Talking about a person who is insincere in their compliments or admiration.
- Referring to excessive or insincere praise or admiration. - Describing someone who is excessively praised or admired. - Talking about a situation where someone is put on a pedestal and treated with exaggerated admiration.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe excessive praise or admiration.
- 2Both words can be used to describe insincere behavior.
- 3Both words can be used to describe situations where someone is seeking favor or advantage.
What is the difference?
- 1Focus: Sycophancy emphasizes the behavior of the person doing the flattery, while adulation focuses on the person receiving the praise.
- 2Intensity: Adulation is more intense and exaggerated than sycophancy.
- 3Connotation: Sycophancy has a negative connotation, implying insincerity and manipulation, while adulation can have a positive connotation, implying genuine admiration and respect.
- 4Usage: Sycophancy is less common and more formal than adulation, which is more commonly used in everyday language.
Remember this!
Sycophancy and adulation are synonyms that both describe excessive praise or admiration. However, sycophancy emphasizes the behavior of the person doing the flattery, while adulation focuses on the person receiving the praise. Additionally, adulation is more intense and exaggerated than sycophancy, and has a more positive connotation. While adulation is more commonly used in everyday language, sycophancy is less common and more formal.
