sycophant
Say it: SIK-uh-fant /ˈsɪkəfant/ · noun
What “sycophant” means
Someone who flatters powerful people to get something.
More precisely: A person who flatters powerful people to gain an advantage.
Example: “The CEO surrounded herself with sycophants, so nobody warned her the product was failing.”
When to use it
For someone who praises a powerful person to gain favour. A strongly critical word in workplaces, politics or stories.
Similar words
flatterer, toady, yes-man
Where it comes from
From Greek sukophantēs, originally 'informer', from sukon 'fig' + phainein 'to show'.
Quick check
An employee praises every terrible idea the director suggests, hoping it will earn him a promotion. He's…
a supporter or a sycophant?
Show the answer
a sycophant
Learn 5 new words a day in Kinquire. Each with a picture, how to say it, an example and a quick check, then spaced review so you actually keep them. Free to start.
Learn “sycophant”