SYCOPHANCY Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

sycophancy

noun

Definition of sycophancy

as in fawning

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of sycophancy The conversations on stage ranged from how to tackle a growing AI divide between the global north and the global south to technical solutions for mitigating AI risks like models engaging in deception and sycophancy. — Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 9 July 2026 One of the main culprits is the models’ propensity for sycophancy. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 18 June 2026 Layering advertising incentives on top of sycophancy produces a system primed to flatter users. — William J. Brady, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026 The suit also criticizes ChatGPT’s propensity to agree with users, arguing that the service’s sycophancy can lead users to develop dangerous psychological attachment to the platform and cause users to pay money to unlock more generous usage quotas. — Jared Perlo, NBC news, 1 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sycophancy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sycophancy

Noun

Experts say that fawning is a stress response that some teens use to appease the people around them.

— Sherri Gordon, Parents, 5 July 2026
The fawning didn’t get him very far.

— Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026

Definition of fawning

Noun

Clay/Ali remains one of the most indelible personalities of the 20th century, a man whose every public utterance and movement have become the subject of adoration and imitation.

— Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 3 Nov. 2026
His face appearing on the big screen was naturally greeted by cheers of adoration from the stands and would normally have been a pure reason to smile.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of adoration

Noun

In the north, worship centers on the goddess Lakshmi, who symbolizes wealth and prosperity.

— ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Some walked hundreds of kilometers to establish places of worship far from the comforts of the world, spending years in prayer and contemplation before eventually being buried here.

— Avantika Chaturvedi, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of worship

Noun

Though often misremembered as a boy’s adventure book, Gulliver’s Travels is both summation and rejoinder to the Enlightenment and how innumerable sins can result when the idolatry of reason leads to humans being treated as objects.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2026
The market for racial idolatry in sports media has collapsed.

— Bobby Burack OutKick, FOXNews.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of idolatry

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sybaritism

sycophancy

sycophant

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“Sycophancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sycophancy. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sycophancy

noun

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