sycophant

“A sycophant with no combat experience has to tell Xi what Xi wants to hear,” wrote Drew Thompson, a former Pentagon official who met Zhang when he visited the U.S. in 2012.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 8, 2026

Peeking over her shoulder at her notes, he tuts, “Doesn’t sycophant have an ‘o’?”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 28, 2025

Then, referring to the man who has replaced him as premier, he adds "not like Li Qiang", who he describes as a sycophant.

From BBC ● Nov. 2, 2023

He has been the “worst sycophant of all time,” as he put it at his favorite Omaha bar and grill this summer, parroting the usual flak he takes.

From New York Times ● Nov. 21, 2018

Jackie was no sycophant or whipping boy, as he’s been described by other writers.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

The new boss will want to make a mark—almost any mark will do—to intimidate top performers and encourage sycophants.

From Barron's ● Jun. 5, 2026

The individuals who survive and flourish in such a system are sycophants and mediocrities, and those who have learned to navigate the Great Leader’s moods are far from the most qualified, talented or honorable.

From Salon ● Apr. 11, 2026

Among Jay’s core group of sycophants and servants are the dependable Laura Dern as his publicist and Adam Sandler as his dutiful manager, Ron.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2025

This evokes the absolutist rhetoric of Louis XIV’s worst sycophants, which Saint-Simon despised.

From Slate ● May 30, 2025

Around him was a raucous entourage of assistants, sycophants, distant relatives and assorted hangers-on.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan