SYCOPHANTIC Synonyms: 45 Similar and Opposite Words

sycophantic

adjective

Definition of sycophantic

as in obsequious

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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.

Recent Examples of sycophantic While chatbots often take on an affirming tone with users, several of the lawsuits point to a controversial model called GPT‑4o that was known for being especially sycophantic. — Lauren Fichten, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026 Similar dynamics have made AI systems dangerously sycophantic. — Andrew R. Chow, Time, 6 May 2026 In Washington, President Gagwell is informed of the situation by her amusingly sycophantic press secretary (Matt Rogers). — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 1 June 2026 In an interview with Mostly Human spotted by MacRumors, Craig Federighi said Apple’s new Siri won’t act all sycophantic like chatbots made by OpenAI, Google, and others. — Thomas Ricker, The Verge, 12 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sycophantic

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sycophantic

Adjective

To cede all of that ground to the executive, and to do so in such an obsequious way, is shameful.

— KEN BURNS, Rolling Stone, 19 May 2026
Dawkins regards these obsequious interactions between his weird little menagerie of bots very seriously, and the AIs’ flattery clearly works.

— Frank Landymore, Futurism, 7 May 2026

Definition of obsequious

Adjective

Unfortunately, Trump takes servile flattery as his due.

— Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026
Of course, all of this convenient acquiescence will sound familiar in the United States, where our own Congress and Department of Justice have been nothing if not servile to a brazenly corrupt executive.

— Daniel Alarcón, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

Definition of servile

Adjective

Though mighty hagiographic, McPhee’s ability to break down a player’s gifts makes a poetic case for the game.

— Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 18 June 2026
While these celebrity docs are hagiographic and formulaic, the interviews with Nadal and family and rivals like Federer and Novak Djokovic do push beyond the surface.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 18 May 2026

Definition of hagiographic

Adjective

After a while, though, all the professions of sincerity and thanks, the constant invocations of the one true POTUS, and the worshipful exhibits upstairs give the whole place a cultish, nostalgic gleam.

— Justin Davidson, Curbed, 4 June 2026
The secret in the biscuits is the pairing of cheddar with bacon, with the overall result being worshipful thanks from those who are lucky enough to partake.

— Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 25 May 2026

Definition of worshipful

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“Sycophantic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sycophantic. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of sycophantic

adjective

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