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Synonyms

sycophancy

American  
[sik-uh-fuhn-see, -fan-, sahy-kuh-] / ˈsɪk ə fən si, -ˌfæn-, ˈsaɪ kə- /

noun

  1. self-seeking or servile flattery.

  2. the character or conduct of a sycophant.

Etymology

Origin of sycophancy

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The most basic way to counter AI sycophancy is to ask open-ended questions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

The phenomenon is called sycophancy: Models effectively tell users what they want to hear.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026

The spoof featured the society's imaginary president declaring: "True sycophancy is non-political."

From BBC • Jul. 7, 2025

Let he who is without stomach-turning sycophancy cast the first stone.

From Slate • Jan. 21, 2025

Since I have been a rich man, I have seen nothing but the servile flattery of sycophancy, or the insidious snares of deeper iniquity.

From Roland Cashel Volume I (of II) by Lever, Charles James

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.