syc·o·phant (s k  -fnt, s k-)n. A servile self-seeker who attempts to win favor by flattering influential people. [Latin s  cophanta, informer, slanderer, from Greek s kophant s, informer, from skon phainein, to show a fig (probably originally said of denouncers of theft or exportation of figs) : skon, fig + phainein, to show; see bh -1 in Indo-European roots.]syc  o·phantic (-f ntk), syco·phanti·cal (-t-kl) adj.syc o·phanti·cal·ly adv. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. | sycophantic - attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery insincere - lacking sincerity; "a charming but thoroughly insincere woman"; "their praise was extravagant and insincere" |
| 2. | sycophantic - attempting to win favor by flattery servile - submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior; "spoke in a servile tone"; "the incurably servile housekeeper"; "servile tasks such as floor scrubbing and barn work" |
sycophantic
adjective obsequious, grovelling, ingratiating, servile, crawling, flattering, cringing, fawning, slimy, slavish, unctuous, smarmy Brit. (informal) toadying, parasitical, bootlicking (informal) timeserving
Translations
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