sycophancy

[sik-uh-fuh n-see, -fan-, sahy-kuh-]

See more synonyms for sycophancy on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

Show More

Origin of sycophancy

1615–25; < Latin sȳcophantia trickery < Greek sȳkophantía dishonest prosecution, equivalent to sȳkophant- (see sycophant) + -ia -y³; see -cy

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

devotion glory acclaim applause plaudit ovation cry cheer appreciation accolade kudos esteem recognition recommendation rave approval tribute commendation compliment thanks

Examples from the Web for sycophancy

Contemporary Examples

Alone among the servants he had no time for sycophancy or subservience.
Queen Victoria’s Secret Scottish Sex Castle
Clive Irving
August 17, 2014

Historical Examples

There was no sycophancy on the part of the young man, no patronage on that of the employer.
Macaria
Augusta Jane Evans Wilson
Much of this sycophancy is due to the poverty of the educated classes.
Face to Face with Kaiserism
James W. Gerard
Sycophancy was as acceptable as real regard, since each catered to his vanity.
The Lady Doc
Caroline Lockhart
The President, however, was growing weary of his own sycophancy.
The Rise of the Dutch Republic, Volume II.(of III) 1566-74
John Lothrop Motley
The whole teaching profession is honeycombed with sycophancy.
Meccania
Owen Gregory

Word Origin and History for sycophancy

n.

1620s, from Latin sycophantia, from Greek sykophantia, from sykophantes (see sycophant).

Show More

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper