单词 | sycophantic |
释义 | sycophantic (once / 30620 pages) adj The adjective sycophantic is perfect for describing someone who uses flattery to get what they want. The sycophantic guy in your biology class might compliment the professor on her fabulous shoes as he hands in his lab report. Someone who's sycophantic goes overboard with compliments, usually to gain some kind of advantage. You see sycophantic behavior in Hollywood all the time, from red carpet interviews pouring flattery on movie stars to fawning autograph seekers. Sycophantic comes from the Greek word sykophantes, "one who shows the fig," a vulgar gesture of the time. The reference is to hypocritical Greeks behind the scenes who pretended to flatter while encouraging others to "show the fig." WORD FAMILYsycophantic: sycophantically+/sycophancy: sycophancies/sycophant: sycophancy, sycophantic, sycophants USAGE EXAMPLESDuring the campaign, Christie, perhaps the most unpopular governor in America and Trump’s most embarrassingly sycophantic supporter, was appointed to head the transition. The New Yorker(Nov 15, 2016) So it shouldn’t surprise us if there is an air of the sycophantic about the team he enlists. Washington Post(Nov 11, 2016) He is wearing Puma trainers and a Puma polo top, but doesn’t come out with any sycophantic spiel about his sponsor. The Guardian(Nov 12, 2016) 1adj attempting to win favor by flattery Syn bootlicking, fawning, toadyish servile submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior 2adj attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery Syn bootlicking, fawning, obsequious, toadyish insincere lacking sincerity |
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