sycophancy

[ sik-uh-fuhn-see, -fan-, sahy-kuh- ]

noun

1. self-seeking or servile flattery.
2. the character or conduct of a sycophant.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sycophancy¹

First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin sȳcophantia “trickery,” from Greek sȳkophantía “dishonest prosecution,” from sȳkophánt(ēs) “informer” ( sycophant ) + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

Unfortunately, being intellectually dim and surrounded by sycophancy is a very bad combination.

From Time

It wasn’t the first time McCarthy had resorted to unbelievable acts of sycophancy.

From TIme

Alone among the servants he had no time for sycophancy or subservience.

From The Daily Beast

His caustic audacity salted his sycophancy and made him a man apart from the herd of flatterers.

From Project Gutenberg

Think not, however, that this inequality favors pride on the one hand, and sycophancy on the other.

From Project Gutenberg

The soft sycophancy of Mrs. Nuttall disgusted him; he knew well enough what evoked it.

From Project Gutenberg

This is not the time for sycophancy, for servility, for compromise of principle, for forgetfulness of our rights.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not until all hope of turning sycophancy to further account was gone that he took up with patriotism.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• toadyism