🔤 Sycophant (Noun)
IPA: //ˈsɪkəfənt/ or /ˈsaɪkəfənt//
✨ Call someone a sycophant when their praise feels more like manipulation than admiration.
🧠 Meaning
A person who acts excessively obedient or attentive toward someone important in order to gain advantage; a flatterer or yes-man.
✍️ Example Sentences
🔹 The office was full of sycophants who praised the boss at every turn, hoping for promotions.
🔹 She despised sycophants and preferred honest feedback over hollow compliments.
📜 Word Origin
From Greek sykophantes, originally meaning "informer" or "false accuser." Over time, it evolved to mean "self-serving flatterer."
💡 Did You Know?
'Sycophant' is often used for people who suck up to authority—not out of admiration, but for selfish gain.
🏷️ Related Words
#flatterer
#toady
#bootlicker
#brown-noser
#yes-man
#fawner