sycophantic

adjective

sy·​co·​phan·​tic ˌsi-kə-ˈfan-tik How to pronounce sycophantic (audio)
 also  ˌsī-
: of, relating to, or characteristic of a sycophant : fawning, obsequious
sycophantic compliments
sycophantically adverb

Examples of sycophantic in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This isn't meant to be some sycophantic bowing of the head to Trump and his MAGA movement, but rather a statement of fact. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 21 Mar. 2025 Already, and despite its shortfalls such as hallucinations – when chatbots make up inexistent facts, and sycophantic behavior – when the bot gives a particular answer to elicit the user’s approval, AI has been shown to outperform CEO’s on a range of tasks. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 11 Mar. 2025 Research conclusively shows that sycophantic AI behavior undermines trust and meaningful interaction. Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025 Their allies were sycophantic, and their natural opponents—especially the French—were submissive. Martin Sandbu, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017 See All Example Sentences for sycophantic

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sycophantic was in 1676

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Cite this Entry

“Sycophantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sycophantic. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

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