Meaning & use

sycophantic

adjective·Advanced

Excessively flattering or obedient toward someone in order to gain favor or advantage.

See it in a sentence

The sycophantic assistant agreed with everything the director said, however absurd.

Critics mocked the sycophantic coverage the newspaper gave to its biggest advertiser.

A note on using this word

Sycophantic is strongly negative, implying insincere flattery rather than genuine politeness or respect.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

forthrightblunt

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