SYCOPHANTIC

How it’s pronounced

Definition:

Excessively flattering to gain favor.

Examples:

• "His sycophantic behavior was so obvious—he laughed way too hard at the boss’s bad jokes."

• "I swear, the dog is being sycophantic just because she knows I have chicken.”

Etymology:

From Greek sykophantes (“informer, slanderer”).

Entered English in the 16th century.

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