ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Word Knowledge (WK)Hard
Which word is an antonym for <b>sycophant</b>?
- ACritic
- BAdulator
- CFlatterer
- DToady
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Critic
A sycophant is a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage; a 'yes-man' or flatterer. The opposite of someone who constantly praises or agrees would be a 'critic', someone who expresses disapproval or points out faults.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Adulator is a person who praises or worships excessively, which is a synonym.
- C. Flatterer is a direct synonym for sycophant.
- D. Toady is a person who flatters or defers to others for self-serving reasons, which is a synonym.
Sycophant
A person who acts obsequiously toward someone important in order to gain advantage; a 'yes-man'.
- Characterized by excessive flattery and subservience.
- Motivated by self-interest or personal gain.
- Often seen as insincere and manipulative.
Memory trick: A sycophant says 'yes', an antonym says 'no'.