Sycophant
noun /ˈsɪkəfænt/ — A person who flatters powerful people to gain favour.
Definition
A person who acts obsequiously toward someone in power, using excessive flattery and agreement in order to gain advantage.
Beyond the definition
The sycophant tells powerful people what they want to hear rather than what they need to know. It's a word with ancient contempt built in — the yes-man, the flatterer, the person whose opinion cannot be trusted because it always tilts toward the person who can help them.
Origin & history
From Greek sykophantes — a combination of sykon (fig) + phainein (to show). The original meaning is disputed: possibly 'informer who reported fig-smugglers', or 'one who makes the fig-sign' (an obscene gesture). Came to mean a base flatterer or informer by the time it entered English.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The CEO surrounded himself with sycophants and was genuinely shocked when the strategy failed.
She had no patience for sycophants — she wanted honest feedback, not applause.
The political court was full of sycophants competing to be the most enthusiastic in their agreement.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Sycophant” when the meaning fits your context: A person who acts obsequiously toward someone in power, using excessive flattery and agreement in order to gain advantage.
Synonyms
flatterer, yes-man, toady, fawner, bootlicker
Antonyms
critic, adversary, contrarian, truthteller
Related words
- obsequious
- toady
- unctuous
- fawning
Sycophant vs flatterer
A flatterer says nice things about someone — compliments freely given, which may or may not be sincere. A sycophant flatters for a purpose: to gain favour, protection, or advantage from someone more powerful. The sycophant's praise cannot be trusted because it is instrumental. You might be flattered by someone with genuine affection; a sycophant is always calculating. Flattery is the method; sycophancy is the motive behind it.
Questions about this word
What does "Sycophant" mean?
Sycophant is noun meaning: A person who flatters powerful people to gain favour.. A person who acts obsequiously toward someone in power, using excessive flattery and agreement in order to gain advantage.
Where does the word "Sycophant" come from?
From Greek sykophantes — a combination of sykon (fig) + phainein (to show). The original meaning is disputed: possibly 'informer who reported fig-smugglers', or 'one who makes the fig-sign' (an obscene gesture). Came to mean a base flatterer or informer by the time it entered English.