VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

sycophantic

adjective·Advanceddisapproving

Last updated

UK/ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/
US/ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparabledisapproving

    Behaving with too much flattery or obedience in order to win someone's favor.

    Grammar: Can be graded: 'more sycophantic,' 'most sycophantic.' Often used before a noun or after a linking verb.

    Patterns

    • sycophantic toward someone
    • sycophantic behavior
    • a sycophantic smile

    His sycophantic praise of the manager made everyone else uncomfortable.

    She was tired of the sycophantic colleagues who agreed with everything the boss said.

    The article criticized the senator's sycophantic attitude toward the party leader.

  2. adjectivecomparableformaldisapproving

    Showing false friendliness or flattery in order to get an advantage.

    Grammar: Used mainly in writing and formal speech; in everyday talk people often say 'creepy' or 'too eager to please.'

    Patterns

    • sycophantic to someone
    • a sycophantic tone

    His sycophantic emails to the director were obvious to everyone in the office.

    The review described the biography as sycophantic rather than honest.

Word forms

comparativemore sycophantic
superlativemost sycophantic

Common combinations

sycophantic behavior
The teacher ignored the sycophantic behavior and asked for real opinions.
sycophantic praise
The book received sycophantic praise from the author's friends.
sycophantic toward someone
He became sycophantic toward anyone who could help his career.
a sycophantic smile
She gave a sycophantic smile and agreed with every word.

Synonyms and how they differ

flattering
Flattering can be sincere or neutral; sycophantic always suggests insincere flattery for gain.
obsequious
Obsequious stresses too much eagerness to serve and obey; sycophantic stresses false praise.
fawning
Fawning suggests showing exaggerated affection or admiration, often in a physical way.

Opposites

sincerehonestindependent

Word family

sycophant noun
A person who flatters others to gain advantage.
sycophantically adverb
In a flattering, insincere way.

Commonly confused: sycophantic or psychophantic? sycophantic or sycophant?

sycophantic vs psychophantic

Not a real word; it is sometimes invented by mistake because 'sycophantic' sounds like words beginning with 'psych-'.

sycophantic vs sycophant

Sycophant is the noun for the person; sycophantic is the adjective describing the behavior.

Practice

Which sentence uses 'sycophantic' correctly?

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “sycophantic”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words