as in fawning
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Recent Examples of sycophancy
The most common way users interact with AI is through chatbots, which mimic natural human conversations and are designed to be agreeable and flattering, sometimes to the point of sycophancy.
—
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
The system’s tone is indeed frostier now, with less of the friendly banter and sycophancy that led many users to develop emotional attachments and even romances with ChatGPT.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
Some of ChatGPT's most annoying behaviors—sycophancy and hallucinations—should be less prevalent.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
OpenAI says all four personalities meet its internal benchmarks for reduced sycophancy and stronger alignment.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sycophancy
Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 22 Aug. 2025
The system’s tone is indeed frostier now, with less of the friendly banter and sycophancy that led many users to develop emotional attachments and even romances with ChatGPT.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 20 Aug. 2025
Some of ChatGPT's most annoying behaviors—sycophancy and hallucinations—should be less prevalent.
—Emily Forlini, PC Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025
OpenAI says all four personalities meet its internal benchmarks for reduced sycophancy and stronger alignment.
—Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 7 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sycophancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sycophancy
Noun
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According to Gaiani, drinking or using drugs before social situations is a major sign that your teen may be using alcohol to cope with fawning and to feel more comfortable or confident.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Gladys Knight struggles but met with adoration The adoring audience didn't need an opening hype video to recognize how special this single-show lineup was - but admittedly Knight, 81, was having a harder night.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
28 Sep. 2025
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Thousands stomped in the bleachers, creating rumbling waves of adoration.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Sep. 2025
Noun
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As police investigate the motive for the deadly shooting attack, metro Detroit law enforcement is stepping up security at houses of worship.—
Frank Witsil,
Freep.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Places of worship are meant to be sanctuaries of peacemaking, prayer and connection.—
Becca Longmire,
PEOPLE,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Propping up these anti-artists promotes a kind of false idolatry; undiscerning listeners read their banal backstories and watch their flashy videos and soon become active devotees.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
2 Oct. 2025
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These all may be interpreted as acts of idolatry.—
Michael Isaacson,
Sun Sentinel,
19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sycophancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sycophancy. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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