sycophant

IPA/ˈsɪkəfænt/
IPA/ˈsɪkəfænt/

sycophant — 名詞

  • sycophantsingular
  • sycophantsplural

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

1.名詞C2
釋義

馬屁精

靠假奉承巴結權貴的人

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.

演講結束後，Kofi 看起來像個馬屁精，連最不好笑的笑話都照樣猛誇。

look like a sycophant by overpraising a leader

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

那位部長總把一個馬屁精留在身邊，替每個草率的點子拍手叫好。

keep a sycophant nearby for constant approval

常見搭配
  • shameless sycophant
  • political sycophant
  • act like a sycophant
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.

同根字

  • sycophantic
    形容詞C2
  • sycophancy
    名詞C2
  • sycophantically
    副詞C2

常見搭配

名詞搭配

  • court sycophant
  • political sycophant

常用片語

  • act like a sycophant
  • become someone's sycophant

介系詞搭配

  • sycophant to