Sycophantic
adjective
Showing or expressing too much praise towards someone powerful or important, usually to get a personal advantage.
He accused the Prime Minister's team of sycophantic behavior.
Often appears as...
- sycophantic behavior
- sycophantic attitude
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Showing or expressing too much praise towards someone powerful or important, usually to get a personal advantage.
He accused the Prime Minister's team of sycophantic behavior.
Often appears as...
- sycophantic behavior
- sycophantic attitude
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
Used when someone is trying to gain favor with a person in authority, possibly for self-gain.
His sycophantic comments during the meeting were an attempt to win the boss's favor.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Sycophantic' often has a negative vibe, suggesting insincerity or a lack of self-respect.
The audience was uncomfortable with the actor's sycophantic acceptance speech.
Pro Tip 3/3Excessive Praise
It means the praise is over the top and more than what is deserved or appropriate.
The review was criticized for its sycophantic tone that ignored the film's flaws.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
Used when someone is trying to gain favor with a person in authority, possibly for self-gain.
His sycophantic comments during the meeting were an attempt to win the boss's favor.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Sycophantic' often has a negative vibe, suggesting insincerity or a lack of self-respect.
The audience was uncomfortable with the actor's sycophantic acceptance speech.
Pro Tip 3/3Excessive Praise
It means the praise is over the top and more than what is deserved or appropriate.
The review was criticized for its sycophantic tone that ignored the film's flaws.
Pro Tip 1/3Power Dynamics
Used when someone is trying to gain favor with a person in authority, possibly for self-gain.
His sycophantic comments during the meeting were an attempt to win the boss's favor.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
'Sycophantic' often has a negative vibe, suggesting insincerity or a lack of self-respect.
The audience was uncomfortable with the actor's sycophantic acceptance speech.
Pro Tip 3/3Excessive Praise
It means the praise is over the top and more than what is deserved or appropriate.
The review was criticized for its sycophantic tone that ignored the film's flaws.
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Quote examples
Rick Tumlinson
American Businessman
As far as I am concerned, the whiners of Wall Street and the political pundits, power players, and the swarms of sycophantic, sound-bite-spewing sewage rats that surround them can stuff it. They are the wrong stuff, and their self-glorification is an obscenity. No matter what they say of themselves, they are not that important.
Quote examples
Ben Domenech
American Writer
Engaging in a sycophantic way with any politician in the short term is tempting. It offers the lure of access and the promise of influence. But ultimately, it can lead to misreading the environment, giving too much of an ear to the politician's circle, and confining your audience to partisans.
Quote examples
Molly Ivins
American Journalist
As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic shih tzus in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.
Quote examples
Alex Roe
English Actor
I go through phases of not liking the pretention and sycophantic nature of L.A. but I can be surfing in 10 minutes and snowboarding in two hours - I love the connection with nature.
Quote examples
Rose Matafeo
New Zealand has this funny attitude towards celebrities where we're not so impressed. We are secretly impressed, but we never want to show it, so we're not sycophantic about it.
Quote examples
Victoria Beckham
English Musician
There's nothing wrong with constructive criticism, and I learn from that and better myself. I'm not expecting anyone to be sycophantic in any way; I never expected that.
Quote examples
Robin Wright
American Actress
I didn't want to raise my kids in this weird, sycophantic society. If you have celebrity parents, it's not a good recipe for the kids, or anyone at any age.
Quote examples
Nasser Hussain
British Athlete
It sounds sycophantic, but I don't think I have met anyone in cricket who gives so much to a team as Marcus Trescothick does to England.
Quote examples
Rhianna Pratchett
English Designer
Cavorting around fantasy-style environments with a rampaging horde of sycophantic psychos is inherently amusing.
Quote examples
Billy Crystal
American Comedian
What passes for sports coverage is terribly sycophantic.
Quote examples
Rick Tumlinson
American Businessman
As far as I am concerned, the whiners of Wall Street and the political pundits, power players, and the swarms of sycophantic, sound-bite-spewing sewage rats that surround them can stuff it. They are the wrong stuff, and their self-glorification is an obscenity. No matter what they say of themselves, they are not that important.
Quote examples
Ben Domenech
American Writer
Engaging in a sycophantic way with any politician in the short term is tempting. It offers the lure of access and the promise of influence. But ultimately, it can lead to misreading the environment, giving too much of an ear to the politician's circle, and confining your audience to partisans.
Quote examples
Molly Ivins
American Journalist
As I occasionally survey the pack of sycophantic shih tzus in the Washington press corps, wriggling on their bellies to kiss the feet of those in power, I feel plumb discouraged about the future of journalism.
Quote examples
Alex Roe
English Actor
I go through phases of not liking the pretention and sycophantic nature of L.A. but I can be surfing in 10 minutes and snowboarding in two hours - I love the connection with nature.
Quote examples
Rose Matafeo
New Zealand has this funny attitude towards celebrities where we're not so impressed. We are secretly impressed, but we never want to show it, so we're not sycophantic about it.
Quote examples
Victoria Beckham
English Musician
There's nothing wrong with constructive criticism, and I learn from that and better myself. I'm not expecting anyone to be sycophantic in any way; I never expected that.
Quote examples
Robin Wright
American Actress
I didn't want to raise my kids in this weird, sycophantic society. If you have celebrity parents, it's not a good recipe for the kids, or anyone at any age.
Quote examples
Nasser Hussain
British Athlete
It sounds sycophantic, but I don't think I have met anyone in cricket who gives so much to a team as Marcus Trescothick does to England.
Quote examples
Rhianna Pratchett
English Designer
Cavorting around fantasy-style environments with a rampaging horde of sycophantic psychos is inherently amusing.
Quote examples
Billy Crystal
American Comedian
What passes for sports coverage is terribly sycophantic.
Example 1 of 10
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