sycophant crossword – All Crossword Answers
Welcome to Crosswordanswer.co.uk! This page provides quick and accurate solutions for the crossword clue "sycophant crossword". Whether you need a short word or a longer phrase, we have all the possible answers and explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "sycophant crossword" by Letter Count
5 Letters
TOADY: A person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons.
6 Letters
LACKEY: A servile follower; a sycophant.
FLUNKY: A person who performs menial tasks; a sycophantic follower.
FAWNER: One who fawns, acting subserviently to gain favor.
MINION: A servile or fawning dependant.
8 Letters
GROVELER: One who acts in an excessively submissive way to someone important in order to obtain their forgiveness or favor.
PARASITE: A person who habitually relies on or exploits others and gives nothing in return.
9 Letters
FLATTERER: A person who praises someone excessively and insincerely, especially to gain an advantage.
10 Letters
BOOTLICKER: A person who acts obsequiously to someone important in order to gain advantage.
More About "sycophant crossword"
The term 'sycophant' describes an individual who fawns on powerful or wealthy people to gain an advantage. This concept is rich in synonyms, making it a recurring and often challenging clue in crosswords. Puzzlers need to consider not just the literal meaning, but also the various nuances and degrees of obsequiousness that different synonyms convey.
Crossword setters frequently use 'sycophant' to test a solver's vocabulary depth, ranging from common terms like 'toady' or 'flunky' to more evocative words such as 'groveler' or 'bootlicker'. The key to solving such clues lies in matching the available letters and the required word length with the most precise synonym that fits the context of the puzzle.
Understanding the subtle differences between these terms can be crucial. For instance, while a 'minion' is a follower, they might not always be as insincerely flattering as a 'flatterer'. Paying attention to these distinctions, along with the surrounding letters in the grid, will greatly improve your chances of solving this type of clue.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Count Letters Carefully: Always double-check the exact number of letters required for the answer. Even a single letter off can lead you down the wrong path.
- Consider Synonyms and Nuances: Words like "sycophant" often have multiple synonyms. Think about the subtle differences in meaning and how they might fit the puzzle's tone or other clues.
- Check Cross-References: Use intersecting words to confirm letters. If an answer doesn't fit with its cross-clues, it's likely incorrect, even if it seems plausible on its own.
- Think of Common Suffixes and Prefixes: For words related to people or actions, look out for common endings like -ER, -OR, -Y, or prefixes that denote a specific type of person or behavior.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sycophant in simple terms?
A sycophant is someone who flatters a rich or powerful person in order to gain a personal advantage. They are often seen as insincere and self-serving, primarily seeking to curry favor.
Why is "sycophant" a common crossword clue?
It's a versatile word for crossword setters because it boasts a rich vocabulary of synonyms varying in length, from short to quite long. This allows for diverse puzzle constructions and difficulties, often reflecting a slightly negative or critical connotation, which can add depth to a puzzle's theme.
Are there any common misspellings for sycophant-related answers?
Yes, common answers like "flunky" or "lackey" are sometimes misspelled, for example, as 'flunkey' or 'lackie'. Always cross-reference with surrounding letters and double-check the exact spelling, especially for less common words or those with unusual phonetic patterns, to ensure accuracy in your puzzle solution.