sycophant

[ sik-uh-fuhnt, -fant, sahy-kuh- ]

See synonyms for: sycophant sycophants sycophantically sycophantic on Thesaurus.com

noun

a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.

Origin of sycophant

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin sȳcophanta, from Greek sȳkophántēs “informer,” from sŷko(n) “fig” + phan- (stem of phaínein “to show”) + -tēs, agent noun suffix

Other words for sycophant

toady, yes man, flunky, fawner, flatterer

See synonyms for sycophant on Thesaurus.com

Other words from sycophant

syc·o·phan·tic, syc·o·phan·ti·cal, syc·o·phant·ish, adjective
syc·o·phan·ti·cal·ly, syc·o·phant·ish·ly, adverb
syc·o·phant·ism, noun

Words Nearby sycophant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sycophant in a sentence

He showed that he has no real advisers left—only sycophants— and that his own views are as extreme as any of theirs.
Putin's Moves Toward War in Ukraine Show How Dangerous He Has Become | Simon Shuster | February 22, 2022 | Time
In memory, he was reviled as a servile race traitor, a cringing sycophant to white wealth and power.
David's Book Club: Up From History | David Frum | February 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
However reactionary a sycophant to rich people and slasher of programs for others he might be, he is the governor.
Conservatives and Rock and Roll | Michael Tomasky | June 22, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
Worse yet, this now elderly American with his signature mutton chops was a royal sycophant.
When France Adored Us | Jill Jonnes | July 3, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
The same intriguing sycophant who had encouraged the Papist in one fatal error was now encouraging the soldier in another.
The History of England from the Accession of James II. | Thomas Babington Macaulay

Voluerunt sycophant theologi λεοντἡν illam sibi circumdare, ut essent nobis formidabiliores.
History of the Great Reformation, Volume IV | J. H. Merle D'Aubign
"Don't go any nearer to them," said the Judge, in the tones of a sycophant.
The ghosts of their ancestors | Weymer Jay Mills
Avaunt, thou grand sycophant of the nineteenth century, thou vile usurper of the people's throne!
Aims and Aids for Girls and Young Women | George Sumner Weaver
The sycophant B would come to the magistrate, offer 1600 for the property, and lodge the 1600 with the magistrate.
Speculations from Political Economy | C. B. Clarke

British Dictionary definitions for sycophant

sycophant

/ (ˈsɪkəfənt) /

noun

a person who uses flattery to win favour from individuals wielding influence; toady

Origin of sycophant

C16: from Latin sӯcophanta, from Greek sukophantēs, literally: the person showing a fig, apparently referring to the fig sign used in making an accusation, from sukon fig + phainein to show; sense probably developed from ``accuser'' to ``informer, flatterer''

Derived forms of sycophant

sycophancy, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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