What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sycophant
Example
The politician was surrounded by sycophants who praised him endlessly. [sycophants: noun]
Example
She was accused of being a sycophant for always agreeing with her boss. [sycophant: noun]
toady
Example
He was accused of being a toady to the CEO, always agreeing with everything he said. [toady: noun]
Example
She toadied up to the professor in hopes of getting a better grade. [toadied: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Toady is more commonly used than sycophant in everyday language.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sycophant and toady?
Sycophant is more formal than toady and is often used in professional or business settings.
