sycophancy
AmericanEtymology
Origin of sycophancy
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin sȳcophantia “trickery,” from Greek sȳkophantía “dishonest prosecution,” from sȳkophánt(ēs) “informer” ( see 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.
Anthropic said it reduced sycophancy in recent models this spring, after a review of one million Claude conversations.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 16, 2026
Bezos has no love for reporting but lots for sycophancy.
From Slate ● Feb. 5, 2026
The phenomenon is called sycophancy: Models effectively tell users what they want to hear.
From Salon ● Jan. 3, 2026
“AI platforms tend to demonstrate sycophancy, i.e., aligning their responses to a user’s views or style of conversation,” Schueller said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 21, 2025
Her contempt of sycophancy, and bold independence led her constantly into trouble.
From Amaryllis at the Fair by Richard Jefferies
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.
