Sycophant

Meanings

1. A person who flatters someone important to gain advantage
2. A servile self-seeker
3. A toady

Example Sentences

• "The leader surrounded himself with sycophants who never challenged his decisions."
• "A good manager can tell the difference between genuine feedback and sycophant praise."
• "The court was full of sycophants competing for the emperor's favour."

Etymology

From Greek 'sykophantes' (informer, slanderer), literally 'one who shows the fig', from 'sykon' (fig) + 'phainein' (to show). The exact connection to figs is debated — possibly referring to an obscene gesture or informing on fig exporters.

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