sycophant
6 synonyms and 1 antonym for sycophant, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Someone who flatters a powerful person constantly in order to gain favour from them.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From Greek "sykophantēs," literally "fig-shower," originally an informer or accuser in Athens. The literal sense is obscure and much debated; the meaning in English settled on flatterer.
Full origin of sycophant →Frequently asked questions
What is a sycophant?
Someone who flatters and agrees with a powerful person constantly, hoping to gain something by it. Always used disapprovingly.
How do you pronounce sycophant?
SIK-uh-funt — the "syc" is said like "sick", not "sike".
