SYCOPHANT Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

sycophant 1 of 2

noun

ˈsi-kə-fənt

Definition of sycophant next

as in flunkey

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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sycophant

2 of 2

adjective

as in sycophantic

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Recent Examples of sycophant

Noun

Triangle of Sadness parodied the wealthy class and their out-of-touch behaviors; The Menu gorged on monstrous culinary world personalities and the sycophants who feed them; and most recently, Blink Twice confronted the protective bubbles shielding powerful men from accountability. —

Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025 Staffing the federal government with sycophants is not about ensuring loyalty to an agenda. —

Russell Muirhead, Foreign Affairs, 23 Jan. 2025 Apart from Musk’s most loyal sycophants, the build was almost universally ridiculed as the work of a complete novice. —

Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2025 This unprecedented assertion of executive power will create an army of sycophants beholden only to Donald Trump, not the Constitution or the American people. —

Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for sycophant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sycophant

Adjective

Research conclusively shows that sycophantic AI behavior undermines trust and meaningful interaction.

— Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Their allies were sycophantic, and their natural opponents—especially the French—were submissive.

— Martin Sandbu, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017