as in flunkeys
a person who flatters another in order to get ahead
be careful not to mistake sycophants for true friends
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of sycophants
The only character who seems entirely transparent is Frederik, who can’t hide his resentment of his second-class spousal status or his contempt for the sycophants and mediocrities who cling to his wife like barnacles.
—
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sycophants
Noun
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In the past, Newsom denounced judges who ruled against them as toadies of the firearms industry.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
5 Sep. 2025
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Naturally his reliable Republican toadies lined up to support him.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Still, this has always been a very personal conflict between Yennefer and Vilgefortz, which is why Vilgefortz finally stops letting his minions do all the fighting and jumps through the portal himself.—
Scott Meslow,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Cederquist is one of scores of bad cops included in the book, as is one of his minions in the Stoughton crew, a guy named Calvin Butner.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Adoring fans wearing Dodger caps and jerseys and carrying signs screamed their approval as the buses went by.—
Steve Futterman,
NPR,
4 Nov. 2025
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Los Angeles — Thousands of fans lined the streets of downtown Los Angeles for a second year in a row to celebrate another Dodgers’ World Series victory.—
Kevin Dotson,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Besides being mugged by one of Iza’s henchmen, a brick was thrown through his window and his car was vandalized.—
Jesse Hyde,
Rolling Stone,
21 Oct. 2025
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Clarke played villain henchmen Mac in the film partly set and filmed in Sydney, Australia.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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These methods sort through the DNA in a sample looking for specific genes that are signatures of parasites like pinworms, as well as bacterial pathogens.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
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Extreme temperatures, parasites, viruses, fungi, and bacteria are also major dangers.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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For instance, Bolsonaro’s flunkies penetrated the government agency that handled film distribution.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
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The conservative dynamic duo representing the minority on the council against Wu and her progressive flunkies have repeatedly seen their proposals and bills rejected or just ignored by Council President Ruthzee Louijeune, a Wu ally.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Matthew eventually one-ups the request by losing his boxers as well and going full Winnie the Pooh, which earns him the respect of his fellow suck-ups.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Of course, that is less of a warning and more of a challenge to devotees of hazmat whiskey, a term that indicates that the liquid is bottled at more than 140 proof and deemed unsafe by the FAA to bring onboard aircraft due to its volatility.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thousands of bartenders, tastemakers, and cocktail devotees from every corner of the world converged for the 17th edition of the prestigious awards, which celebrate excellence, creativity, and hospitality across the international bar scene.—
Meghan Murphy,
Travel + Leisure,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sycophants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sycophants. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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