Vocabulary
Sycophant meaning: praise used to gain favour
A colleague may praise every decision made by a manager. If the praise is meant to win favour rather than express a real opinion, sycophant is a useful word.
Use sycophant for a person who gives excessive, insincere praise to gain approval or advantage.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
sycophant /ˈsɪk.ə.fænt/
The short answer
A sycophant is a person who uses excessive, insincere praise to gain favour from someone powerful or important.
The director wanted honest advice, not a room full of sycophants.
Why it works: The director does not trust people who agree only to please them.
3 more examples
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She disagreed with the chair instead of acting like a sycophant.
The speaker contrasts independent disagreement with praise that is meant to please the chair.
Not this:She disagreed with the chair instead of acting like
a loyal colleague. What changes: A loyal colleague can still offer honest criticism. A sycophant gives praise to gain favour. -
The actor ignored the sycophants who praised every small decision.
Their constant praise sounds excessive and self-serving.
Not this:The actor ignored
the fanswho praised every small decision. What changes: Fans may praise someone sincerely. Sycophants praise someone to get something for themselves. -
His sycophantic emails made the team uncomfortable.
Sycophantic describes messages that give too much praise for personal gain.
Not this:His
polite emailsmade the team comfortable. What changes: Polite describes respectful manners. Sycophantic describes insincere flattery.
Read the full guide
Use sycophant when the praise has a selfish purpose. The word suggests that the speaker does not express an independent opinion.
Spot the hidden purpose
A sycophant does more than say something kind. The person gives praise to influence someone with status or power. The motive matters as much as the words.
Everyone noticed that he praised the owner before asking for a promotion.
Use the noun for the person
Sycophant names a person. It can follow be, become, call, or describe: She is a sycophant; they called him a sycophant. It often refers to a pattern of behaviour, not one friendly comment.
The new editor asked for criticism because she did not want sycophants around her.
Choose sycophantic for the behaviour
Use sycophantic before a noun when you describe the praise, tone, behaviour, or language. This adjective keeps the same negative idea of flattery used for personal benefit.
Her sycophantic tone changed as soon as the manager left the room.
Separate flattery from real respect
An admirer can respect a person's work and still disagree with them. A sycophant avoids honest disagreement because approval matters more than truth. The word is often used in criticism, so it can sound harsh.
A sincere supporter may praise good work and point out a mistake. A sycophant praises everything to stay close to power.
Say the word clearly
Sycophant has three syllables: SIK-uh-fant. Keep the first syllable strong. The middle vowel is short and unstressed.
The committee did not need a sycophant; it needed an honest adviser.
Choose the word in context
A trainee agrees with every manager, praises every plan, and expects special treatment. Is sycophant a fair description?
It can be, if the praise is insincere and aimed at gaining favour. The word would be unfair if the trainee simply agrees honestly.
Before you go
Remember this
Use sycophant for a person who flatters someone influential to get approval or advantage. It is a formal negative noun. For the behaviour or language, use the adjective sycophantic.
Practice with the written examples
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Try the written questionsQuestions about "Sycophant meaning: praise used to gain favour"
What does sycophant mean?
A sycophant is a person who gives excessive, insincere praise to gain favour or an advantage from someone important or powerful.
She disagreed with the chair instead of acting like a sycophant.
Is sycophant an insult?
Usually, yes. Sycophant is a strongly negative word because it suggests dishonest flattery and a lack of independent judgement.
She disagreed with the chair instead of acting like a loyal colleague.
What is the difference between a sycophant and an admirer?
An admirer may praise someone sincerely and still disagree with them. A sycophant praises someone mainly to gain approval, access, or personal benefit.
The actor ignored the sycophants who praised every small decision.
What is the adjective from sycophant?
The adjective is sycophantic. Use it for behaviour, language, praise, or a tone that seems excessively flattering and self-serving.
The actor ignored the fans who praised every small decision.
How do you pronounce sycophant?
Say SIK-uh-fant: /ˈsɪk.ə.fænt/. The stress falls on the first syllable.
His sycophantic emails made the team uncomfortable.
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