sycophantic

adjective

sy·​co·​phan·​tic ˌsi-kə-ˈfan-tik 

 also  ˌsī-

: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sycophant : fawning, obsequious

sycophantic compliments

sycophantically

ˌsi-kə-ˈfan-ti-k(ə-)lē 

 also  ˌsī-

adverb

Examples of sycophantic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

When OpenAI and Anthropic evaluated each other's models over the summer, OpenAI reported Claude was less likely to engage in sycophantic and harmful behaviors than ChatGPT. —Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025

In addition, Kimmel got some hilarious help and cultural Kevlar from Robert De Niro played the new sycophantic head of the FCC to seal the deal — cause that’s how the pros do it. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 23 Sep. 2025

Perhaps most shocking and sycophantic is an appearance by Chris Rock in Ye’s dressing room after the altercation. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 Sep. 2025

But the President is surrounded by a more sycophantic set this time around, and seems more brittle in the face of dissent. —Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sycophantic

• transatlantic
• unromantic
• antic
• frantic
• atlantic
• gigantic
• pedantic
• romantic
• semantic
• vedantic