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

Apparently, the man had gone from servant to sycophant.

From "Scythe" by Neal Shusterman

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

And, of course, there were the sycophants, jesters and Wormtongues.

From Salon ● Jun. 2, 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

And while at first Oliver rules over a pack of sycophants, the power shifts.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2025

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

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan