Part of Speech
noun
Definition
a self-seeking, servile flatterer; fawning parasite
Origin + Etymology
Mid 16th Century; Greek
from French sycophante, or via Latin from Greek sukophantēs ‘informer’, from sukon ‘fig’ + phainein ‘to show’, perhaps with reference to making the insulting gesture of the ‘fig’ (sticking the thumb between two fingers) to informers
Synonyms
- groupie
- lackey
- fawner
- flatterer
- parasite
- puppet
Antonyms
- unservile
- sincere
- unsubmissive
Example
Molly was such a sycophant, always trying to earn the favor of the teacher to secure the scholarship.
Usage Over Time
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