sycophant

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

noun

1. a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite.

   Synonyms: flatterer, fawner, flunky, toady

sycophant

/ ˈsɪkəfənt /

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• sycophancy noun
• sycophantic adjective
• sycophantical adjective
• sycophantish adjective
• sycophantically adverb
• sycophantishly adverb
• sycophantism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sycophant¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sycophant¹

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''

Example Sentences

And it is all being fed by sycophants and henchmen who have created a self-reinforcing feedback loop.

From Salon

And while at first Oliver rules over a pack of sycophants, the power shifts.

From Los Angeles Times

Presley and Parker grew distant, as Presley insulated himself with sycophants and his behavior both on and offstage grew increasingly erratic.

From Los Angeles Times

His sanity looks long gone, and that doesn’t bode well for the country since there’s absolutely no chance the sycophants in his cabinet will invoke the 25th Amendment.

From Salon

He is an apparent megalomaniac who views the office of the presidency primarily as a way of punishing his enemies and rewarding himself and his friends, allies, supplicants and sycophants.

From Salon

Related Words

• groupie 
• lackey