sycophant Definition
- 1a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage
- 2a person who flatters others for self-serving reasons
Using sycophant: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sycophant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He was accused of being a sycophant by his colleagues.
Example
The politician surrounded himself with sycophants who would do anything to please him.
Example
She was tired of the sycophants who only wanted to be friends with her because of her wealth.
sycophant Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using sycophant
Example
He was always kicking up to the boss, hoping for a promotion.
brown-nose
to behave in a sycophantic manner towards someone in order to gain favor or advantage
Example
He was always brown-nosing the teacher, hoping for a better grade.
apple-polish
to behave in a sycophantic manner towards someone in order to gain favor or advantage
Example
She was always apple-polishing the boss, hoping for a promotion.
Phrases with sycophant
behavior that is characterized by flattery or fawning
Example
His sycophantic behavior towards his boss was obvious to everyone in the office.
praise that is insincere and given only to gain favor or advantage
Example
The author's sycophantic praise of the politician's book was seen as an attempt to gain political favor.
an attitude of flattery or subservience towards someone in authority
Example
Her sycophantic attitude towards her boss made her unpopular with her colleagues.
Origins of sycophant
from Greek 'sukophantes', meaning 'one who shows the fig'
Summary: sycophant in Brief
'Sycophant' [ˈsɪkəfant] refers to a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage. It can also refer to a person who flatters others for self-serving reasons. Examples include 'He was accused of being a sycophant by his colleagues.' and 'The politician surrounded himself with sycophants who would do anything to please him.' Phrases like 'sycophantic behavior' and idioms like 'brown-nose' denote insincere flattery or subservience.
