sycophancy
noun
sy·co·phan·cy
ˈsi-kə-fən(t)-sē 
also ˈsī-,
-ˌfan(t)-
: obsequious flattery
also
: the character or behavior of a sycophant
Examples of sycophancy in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If sycophancy is the measure, Vance is clearly the leading contestant.
—
Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Most of the attackers are just pilot fish, trying to outdo one another in being vicious in their sycophancy.
—Liz Smith, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024
Elements of this are already evident, with visible sycophancy among China’s political class now the norm.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
Jürgen Voller lacks distinction as a villain, possessing neither the naked ambition of Belloq (Paul Freeman) from Raiders or the self-serving sycophancy of Walter Donovan (Julian Glover) in Last Crusade.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for sycophancy 
Dana Milbank, Washington Post, 14 June 2024
Most of the attackers are just pilot fish, trying to outdo one another in being vicious in their sycophancy.
—Liz Smith, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2024
Elements of this are already evident, with visible sycophancy among China’s political class now the norm.
—Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 22 June 2021
Jürgen Voller lacks distinction as a villain, possessing neither the naked ambition of Belloq (Paul Freeman) from Raiders or the self-serving sycophancy of Walter Donovan (Julian Glover) in Last Crusade.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 16 June 2023
See all Example Sentences for sycophancy
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sycophancy.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sycophancy
Cite this Entry
“Sycophancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sycophancy. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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