sycophant

/ˈsɪkəfænt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɪkəfænt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsi-kə-fənt How to pronounce sycophant (audio) also ˈsī-,  -ˌfant/ (ame, mw)

sycophant — noun

  • sycophantsingular
  • sycophantsplural

1. a person who showers a powerful person with dishonest praise because they hope t

1.名詞C2
釋義

a person who showers a powerful person with dishonest praise because they hope to receive favours or some other benefit

例句

After the speech, Kofi looked like a sycophant, praising even the weakest joke.

look like a sycophant by overpraising a leader

The minister kept a sycophant nearby to applaud every careless idea.

keep a sycophant nearby for constant approval

同義詞
  • flatterer

    broader and slightly weaker; the praise may be excessive without focusing on power

  • toady

    more informal and stresses humiliating obedience as well as praise

  • yes-man

    focuses on constant agreement with a boss, not necessarily on lavish praise

反義詞
  • critic

    speaks openly against bad ideas instead of flattering for advantage

  • independent thinker

    keeps personal judgment rather than trying to please a powerful person

用法筆記

Usually aimed at someone flattering a boss, politician, or celebrity for personal gain. It sounds much harsher and more moral than flatterer, because it suggests both false praise and selfish intent.

常見錯誤

❌The students clapped for their teacher, so they were sycophants.
✅The students clapped for their teacher, so they were supporters.
💡a sycophant flatters someone more powerful to gain something, not simply to show honest approval.