sycophant

A person who flatters powerful people excessively to gain advantage.

• sycophantic/ˌsɪkəˈfæntɪk/(adj)谄媚的
• sycophancy/ˈsɪkəfənsi/(n)谄媚

• political sycophant
• sycophantic behavior
• surrounded by sycophants
• sycophantic praise

1. 1.The dictator was surrounded by sycophants who told him only what he wanted to hear. (flatterers)
2. 2.His sycophantic praise of the boss was obvious to everyone. (adj: excessively flattering)

• flatterer/ˈflætərə/— one who gives insincere praise
• toady/ˈtəʊdi/— servile follower
• yes-man— always agrees with the boss, informal

from Greek "sykophantes" — originally meant an informer in Athens, later shifted to mean a flatterer