Meaning: A person who flatters others excessively to gain personal advantage.
Hindi: चापलूस
Synonyms: flatterer, toady, yes-man, bootlicker, fawner
Antonyms: critic, opponent
Asked in: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level) · SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 · SSC MTS 2024 · SSC CGL 2022 T-2 · SSC Steno 2022 T-1
sycophant in SSC previous-year questions
- SSC MTS 2024 Synonyms
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
SycophantAnswer & explanation
Answer: C) Fawner
Correct Answer: Fawner
Explanation:
Sycophant means a person who flatters someone in power for personal gain (चापलूस).
Fawner also means someone who excessively praises or flatters others, especially to gain favour (चाटुकार).
Arrogant – having an exaggerated sense of self-worth (घमंडी)
Uppity – behaving as if one is more important than others (घमंडी / अकड़ू)
Independent – self-reliant; not influenced by others (स्वतंत्र)
Only Fawner shares the same meaning as Sycophant. - SSC CGL 2022 T-2 One Word Substitution
Select the option that can be used as a one-word substitute for the given group of words.
One who is a boot licker and flatterer.
(SSC CGL 2022 T-2 (6 Mar))Answer & explanation
Answer: D) Sycophant
Gold-digger – someone who builds relationships only for financial gain.
Gregarious – a sociable person.
Sycophant – one who flatters to gain advantage.
Manipulative – someone use tricks to control others.
So, option d is the correct answer. - SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025 Spelling
Select the correctly spelt word meaning 'a person who flatters to gain advantage'.
Answer & explanation
Answer: C) Sycophant
'Sycophant' is the correct spelling for a person who flatters important people to gain advantage.
' Sycophannt ', ' Psychophant ' and ' Sycophent ' are all incorrect spellings of the word. - SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level) Synonyms
Choose the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
SYCOPHANTAnswer & explanation
Answer: B) Bootlicker
Meaning: sycophant = a person who flatters powerful people to win their favour *(चापलूस, चाटुकार, खुशामदी)*.
bootlicker = an informal word for exactly such a servile flatterer *(चमचा, जी-हुज़ूरी करने वाला)*.
Why the others are wrong.
#B Leader = one who guides or commands others *(नेता, अगुआ)* — a sycophant flatters the leader, he is not one.
#B Teacher = one who instructs *(शिक्षक)* — no link to flattery.
#B Enemy = a hostile opponent *(शत्रु)* — a sycophant pretends to be the opposite.
Answer: Bootlicker
*Related words: toady, flatterer, yes-man — all synonyms of sycophant.* - SSC Steno 2022 T-1 Synonyms
Select the most appropriate synonym of the given word.
SycophantAnswer & explanation
Answer: A) Flatterer
Answer: Flatterer
Explanation:
The word "Sycophant" means a person who flatter others excessively to gain advantage (चापलूस).
Let’s check the options:
• Flatterer – ✅ Means someone who praises others insincerely, which is the correct synonym.
• Mammoth – Means very large (विशाल), unrelated.
• Killer – Means one who kills (हत्या करने वाला), unrelated.
• Psycho – Slang for a mentally unstable person, unrelated.
Therefore, the correct synonym is Flatterer.
Examples
- “The king surrounded himself with sycophants who never told him the truth.”
sycophant – questions
What is the meaning of sycophant in Hindi?
sycophant means “चापलूस” in Hindi. In English: A person who flatters others excessively to gain personal advantage.
What are the synonyms of sycophant?
Synonyms of sycophant: flatterer, toady, yes-man, bootlicker, fawner.
What is the opposite of sycophant?
Antonyms of sycophant: critic, opponent.
Has sycophant been asked in SSC exams?
Yes – sycophant has been asked 5 times in SSC exams: SSC Selection Post Ph-14 2026 (Matriculation Level), SSC Selection Post Ph-13 2025, SSC MTS 2024, SSC CGL 2022 T-2, SSC Steno 2022 T-1.