Antonyms for sycophantic

Grammar : Adj

Spell : sik-uh-fuhnt, -fant, sahy-kuh-

Phonetic Transcription : ˈsɪk ə fənt, -ˌfænt, ˈsaɪ kə-

Definition of sycophantic

Origin : 1530s (in Latin form sycophanta), "informer, talebearer, slanderer," from Latin sycophanta, from Greek sykophantes, originally "one who shows the fig," from sykon "fig" + phanein "to show." "Showing the fig" was a vulgar gesture made by sticking the thumb between two fingers, a display which vaguely resembles a fig, itself symbolic of a vagina (sykon also meant "vulva"). The story goes that prominent politicians in ancient Greece held aloof from such inflammatory gestures, but privately urged their followers to taunt their opponents. The sense of "mean, servile flatterer" is first recorded in English 1570s.

As in ingratiating : adj fawning, servile
As in menial : adj lowly, low-status
As in obsequious : adj groveling, submissive
As in servile : adj grovelling, subservient
As in subservient : adj extremely compliant
As in ingratiatory : adj insinuating
As in insinuating : adj attempting to gain favor
As in insinuative : adj insinuating
As in insinuatory : adj insinuating
As in complimentary : adj flattering
As in fawning : adj deferential, groveling
As in fulsome : adj sickening or excessive behavior

Example sentences :

Fifanti's mean, sycophantic air fell away from him as by magic.
Extract from : « The Strolling Saint » by Raphael Sabatini

His age may have been fifty; his air was mean and sycophantic.
Extract from : « The Strolling Saint » by Raphael Sabatini

If he was at all sycophantic, it was his will rather than his nature to be so.
Extract from : « The Rise of Canada, from Barbarism to Wealth and Civilisation » by Charles Roger

The Manager smiled the sycophantic smile of one who worships Mammon.
Extract from : « The Tale of Timber Town » by Alfred Grace

It is not pity—whining, sycophantic pity—alone that will do them good.
Extract from : « Gipsy Life » by George Smith

The world, with its sycophantic smile, now flatters, where it once frowned.
Extract from : « The Life and Beauties of Fanny Fern » by Anonymous

That was said not vainly or presumptuously, but in reproof of sycophantic courtiers.
Extract from : « Narrative And Miscellaneous Papers » by Thomas De Quincey

Guests, sycophantic people of all sorts were taken to consider it.
Extract from : « The Passionate Friends » by Herbert George Wells

Sycophantic he might have been, but he was neither ungrateful nor vindictive.
Extract from : « Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Slice 6 » by Various

If there was a drop of sycophantic blood in his veins, he had yet to reveal it.
Extract from : « Thirty » by Howard Vincent O'Brien

Synonyms for sycophantic

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019