sycophant
A sycophant is a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage. The mental image is of someone hovering closely, offering insincere flattery or excessive praise to a superior, essentially "fawning" to climb the social or professional ladder. The term carries a strong negative connotation, implying a lack of integrity and a cowardly focus on self-interest. It is often used in political or corporate environments to describe "yes-men" who agree with everything a boss says, regardless of whether it is right or wrong.
In conversation
Office gossip
Did you see how Mark laughed at the CEO's terrible joke?
Did you see how Mark laughed at the CEO's terrible joke?
Yeah, he’s such a sycophant. He’ll do anything for a promotion.
Yeah, he’s such a sycophant. He’ll do anything for a promotion.
Used to describe a colleague who flatters the boss.
Political debate
The senator is surrounded by sycophants who never challenge his bad decisions.
The senator is surrounded by sycophants who never challenge his bad decisions.
It’s true; he’s completely insulated from the truth.
It’s true; he’s completely insulated from the truth.
Used to describe a group of people enabling a leader.
Examples
He is a total sycophant who always agrees with the boss.
He is a total sycophant who always agrees with the boss.
The king was tired of the sycophants in his court who only told him what he wanted to hear.
The king was tired of the sycophants in his court who only told him what he wanted to hear.
Rather than surrounding himself with sycophants, the CEO actively sought out advisors who would provide candid, critical feedback.
Rather than surrounding himself with sycophants, the CEO actively sought out advisors who would provide candid, critical feedback.
