sycophant

[ sik-uh-fuhnt, -fant, sahy-kuh- ]

noun

1. a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.

   Synonyms: flatterer, fawner, flunky, toady

sycophant

/ ˈsɪkəfənt /

noun

1. a person who uses flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toady

Derived Forms

• ˈsycophancy, noun

Other Words From

• syco·phantic syco·phanti·cal syco·phantish adjective
• syco·phanti·cal·ly syco·phantish·ly adverb
• syco·phant·ism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sycophant¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin sȳcophanta, from Greek sȳkophántēs “informer,” from sŷko(n) “fig” + phan- (stem of phaínein “to show”) + -tēs, agent noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of sycophant¹

C16: from Latin sӯcophanta, from Greek sukophantēs, literally: the person showing a fig, apparently referring to the fig sign used in making an accusation, from sukon fig + phainein to show; sense probably developed from ``accuser'' to ``informer, flatterer''

Example Sentences

“This guy is clearly a sycophant for Donald Trump,” Rep, Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., commented on CNN.

From Salon

A Black man walked by and dutifully played the role of sycophant.

From Salon

He cast Garcia as a pro-Trump sycophant, emphasizing the congressman’s vote against certifying the 2020 presidential election results after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and his push to overturn Roe vs.

From Los Angeles Times

He cast Garcia as a pro-Trump sycophant, emphasizing the congressman’s vote against certifying the 2020 presidential election results after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and his push to overturn Roe vs.

From Los Angeles Times

Whitesides calls Garcia a pro-Trump sycophant and highlights the congressman’s vote against certifying the 2020 presidential election results after the Jan. 6 insurrection, as well as his vote against President Biden’s $1-trillion infrastructure bill.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• groupie
• lackey