sycophant 1 of 2

sycophant

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun sycophant differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of sycophant are leech, parasite, sponge, and toady. While all these words mean "a usually obsequious flatterer or self-seeker," sycophant adds to this a strong suggestion of fawning, flattery, or adulation.

a powerful prince surrounded by sycophants

In what contexts can leech take the place of sycophant?

While the synonyms leech and sycophant are close in meaning, leech stresses persistence in clinging to or bleeding another for one's own advantage.

a leech living off his family and friends

When is it sensible to use parasite instead of sycophant?

The words parasite and sycophant can be used in similar contexts, but parasite applies to one who clings to a person of wealth, power, or influence or is useless to society.

a jet-setter with an entourage of parasites

When is sponge a more appropriate choice than sycophant?

Although the words sponge and sycophant have much in common, sponge stresses the parasitic laziness, dependence, and opportunism of the cadger.

a shiftless sponge, always looking for a handout

Where would toady be a reasonable alternative to sycophant?

While in some cases nearly identical to sycophant, toady emphasizes the servility and snobbery of the self-seeker.

cultivated leaders of society and became their toady

Example Sentences

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 sycophant
Adjective
As Joe Biden tottered and fell (literally as well as metaphorically), more than a few pundits compared him to Lear, a man who was ruined by age, pride, and the flattery of sycophants. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 16 May 2025 Nobody advertises for sycophants, but often recruiting and interview processes can favor candidates who are agreeable and whose thinking doesn’t conflict with the status quo. Roger Dooley, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 The administration may be populated with sycophants and true believers, but Justice Department attorneys and Homeland Security officials are not stupid. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 18 May 2025 There are still sycophants and acolytes, but no savvy producers to make his head-scratching moves appear to make sense. Laura Bassett, Rolling Stone, 14 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sycophant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sycophant
Adjective
  • Constantly giving me positive attention, which felt, at times, sycophantic.
    Cathy Hackl, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • After the model has been trained, companies can set system prompts, or guidelines, for how the model should behave to minimize sycophantic behavior.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Courtesy of Lucasfilm On an isolated farm at the outer reaches of a fascist empire, a mid-level government toady interrogates his victims.
    Jake Kleinman, Wired News, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The anecdote illustrates the contrast in competence and grasp of real world dangers between Reagan’s team and Trump’s toadies — and also between these presidents themselves.
    George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Such as holding court, choosing your sobriquet, and naming imbecilic lickspittles to our Kingsguard.
    Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 7 July 2024
  • What happened to the idea that art and culture should be a contemptuous refuge from the mainstream, as opposed to this lickspittle, running dog accommodation to the mainstream?
    Billboard Staff, Billboard, 3 June 2022
Noun
  • But the joke’s on us — Republican senators, who are the only players with any real power to stop them, have simply decided not to, all so that President Camacho can play at government with his favorite suck-ups.
    S.E. Cupp, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2025
  • Sara Fischer, Dave Lawler Dec 23, 2024 - Politics & Policy Media's suck-up moment Fearing political retribution and strained by new business challenges, media companies that once covered President-elect Trump with skepticism — and in many cases, disdain — are reconsidering their approach.
    Sara Fischer, Axios, 14 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Her niftiest fight sequence looks like abstract art: a stark black-and-white aerial pan of her shadow battling minions down a hallway.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
  • Negan banished him and seized control of the Dama’s minions.
    Charlie Mason, TVLine, 8 June 2025
Noun
  • Caitlin Clark’s presence on the Indiana Fever led to opposing teams changing venues to a larger seating capacity to host thousands more fans than usual for games.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
  • The Oberoi Luxury Nile Cruisers With a nearly perfect score, The Oberoi Cruises was a standout fan favorite.
    Fran Golden, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Noun
  • The mosasaur has henchman spinosaurs – a nice touch – while a titanosaurus couple shares a loving moment (which gets interrupted by some pesky humans).
    Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 July 2025
  • Malaparte, by then, was making his name as one of Mussolini’s highbrow henchmen.
    Thomas Meaney, New Yorker, 2 July 2025
Noun
  • Eating prey can be dangerous for cats, especially mice, which can carry disease, parasites and even poison.
    Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
  • Food poisoning can be caused by viruses or parasites, but the most common culprits are bacteria such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Campylobacter, Listeria and Clostridium—often found on or inside animals.
    Amanda Heidt, Scientific American, 18 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sycophant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sycophant. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

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