Sycophant Crossword Clue: Quick Answers and Solving Guide

It is very annoying to be one word away from finishing a puzzle. You have most of the grid done. You see the clue for a person who flatters others. You know the meaning. But the letters you have do not fit the word you know. This happens to everyone. Crossword writers love the word “sycophant.” They use it because it has many synonyms of different lengths. This guide will help you find the right sycophant crossword clue answer fast. We will look at the most common words. We will also learn how to pick the right one for your grid.

Most Common Sycophant Crossword Clue Answers

When you see this clue, you need to count your empty squares. The most popular answers range from four to ten letters. Here are the top choices.

4 to 5 Letters

• LACA (4 Letters): This is a rare one. It shows up in harder puzzles.
• TOADY (5 Letters): This is the most common answer. If you have five boxes, try this first.
• CREEP (5 Letters): Sometimes the puzzle uses a more modern word.
• LEECH (5 Letters): This fits if the clue hints at taking things from others.

6 Letters

• YESMAN (6 Letters): This is a very frequent answer in daily puzzles.
• LAPDOG (6 Letters): Use this if the clue mentions a pet or being controlled.
• LACKEY (6 Letters): This word implies the person does small tasks for a boss.
• MINION (6 Letters): Common in both old and new crosswords.
• FAWNER (6 Letters): This describes the act of being overly nice.
• SUCKUP (6 Letters): You will see this in “quick” or casual crosswords.

7 to 8 Letters

• CRAWLER (7 Letters): This implies the person is groveling on the ground.
• FLUNKEY (7 Letters): Similar to a lackey or a servant.
• PARASITE (8 Letters): A very common 8-letter choice for “sycophant.”
• ADULATOR (8 Letters): This is a formal word for praise.
• HANGERON (8 Letters): This is often two words but fits as one.

9 to 10 Letters

• FLATTERER (9 Letters): The most direct definition of the word.
• YESPERSON (9 Letters): A newer version of a common phrase.
• BOOTLICKER (10 Letters): A strong word for a very servile person.
• BROWNNOSER (10 Letters): This is common in American puzzles.

How to Solve the Sycophant Crossword Clue

Finding the word is only half the battle. You must match the “tone” of the puzzle. Here is how to choose the best answer.

Look at the Puzzle Type

If you are playing a “Quick” puzzle, look for simple words. TOADY and YESMAN are the favorites there. If you are playing a “Cryptic” puzzle, the answer might be hidden. For example, the clue might say, “Flatterer found in fancy room.” The answer could be hidden in the letters.

Check for Plurals

Does the clue say “Sycophant” or “Sycophants”? If it has an “S” at the end, your answer must too. TOADIES or YESMEN are likely if the clue is plural. This is a common mistake. Always check if the clue is a noun or an adjective. If the clue is “Sycophantic,” the answer might be SERVILE.

Use the Crossings

If you have a few letters, the choice becomes easy.

• If the third letter is A, think of TOADY.
• If the first letter is P, go with PARASITE.
• If you see a hyphen, it is likely YES-MAN.

Why Sycophant is a Favorite Clue

Crossword creators like words that have many meanings. The word “sycophant” comes from Ancient Greek. It once meant “someone who reveals figs.” Long ago, it was about people who told on others. Over time, it changed. It started to mean a “flatterer.”

Because the word has a long history, it fits many themes. A “History” puzzle might use LACKEY. A “Nature” puzzle might use LEECH. Knowing these small details helps you think like the creator.

Solving the “Stuck” Feeling

It is okay to feel stuck. The sycophant crossword clue is tricky. Words like LICKSPITTLE are not used in normal talk. But in crosswords, they are stars.

If you cannot find the word, take a break. Look at the other clues around it. Filling in a “Down” clue might give you one letter. Most of the time, the answer is a word you know. You just cannot remember it right now. Use the tables in this guide to test each word. Start with the most common ones. You will finish your puzzle soon.

Understanding the Clue Type

Sometimes you know the answer is a follower. But you do not know which word fits. If you are doing an old puzzle, you might see FLUNKEY. This word sounds like “flunk.” It describes someone who has no power. Using this word helps you finish an old-fashioned grid.

If the puzzle feels modern, the answer could be SUCKUP. This is a word friends might use. It is common in “Quick” crosswords. It is a direct answer. It does not try to be fancy. When you are in a hurry, look for easy terms. They provide relief because they are easy to spell.

Harder Words for Experts

If you are a pro, you might run into LICKSPITTLE. This is a long word with eleven letters. It is very tough to find. It is used when the puzzle tests your vocabulary. It feels gross to think about. That is why it means someone who is too humble. If you see a long row, count the boxes. This word often shares letters with “Down” clues. It is a great anchor for your work.

Another tricky one is ADULATOR. This word ends in “OR.” If you have a word that ends in R, check this one. It is a very polite word. It is common in puzzles about books or art. Knowing this word shows your expertise. It turns confusion into pride.

Solving the Letter Gap

Many players get stuck with only the first and last letters. If your word starts with B and ends with R, you have two choices. You could use BOOTLICKER or BROWNNOSER. Both have ten letters.

• BOOTLICKER has a T in the fourth spot.
• BROWNNOSER has a W in the fourth spot.

Checking these details saves you from erasing. It keeps your grid clean. It keeps your mind calm. You want to feel sure as you write the letters. This check is the best way to handle stress.

The Power of Synonyms

A sycophant can be many things. A PARASITE takes money or food. A LAPDOG is always at a master’s side. A MINION does the dirty work. Read the clue for tiny hints. If it mentions a “pet,” try LAPDOG. If it mentions “living off others,” try PARASITE. This focus on the “flavor” makes you faster.

Understanding the Greek Origin

The word has a strange history. It comes from two Greek words. One means “fig.” The other means “to show.” Long ago, it meant telling on fig thieves. This fact shows up in hard puzzles. Sometimes the clue mentions fruit. If you see “fig shower,” the answer is SYCOPHANT. Knowing this makes you a smart solver. It takes away the frustration.

Finding Patterns with Missing Letters

It is hard with only one or two letters. Do not let one word stop your fun. Here is a list of patterns.

• _ O _ D _: This is almost always TOADY.
• _ A _ _ _ Y: This usually fits LACKEY.
• P _ R _ _ _ _ E: This is the word PARASITE.
• _ E _ M _ N: This is the answer YESMAN.

Match your grid to these patterns. This turns a big problem into a small game. You will feel relief as letters click.

If you have different letters and these patterns do not match, do not worry. You can use our Crossword Solver Tool to type in the letters you have and find the exact word in seconds.

Why Some Answers Are Used Often

You might wonder why TOADY is in every puzzle. Creators must fit words together. Short words with many vowels are useful. The A and O in TOADY help link other words. Learn the short words first. They are the building blocks. When you know these words, you solve faster.

Solving Clues from Famous Puzzles

Newspapers have different styles. The New York Times might use ADULATOR. The Daily Mirror might use CREEP.

• Big City Papers: Look for long, formal words.
• Local Papers: Look for short, common words.
• Sunday Puzzles: These use the most complex words.

Words That Mean Almost the Same Thing

Sometimes a sycophant is a SPONGER. This person wants free things. If the clue says “lives off others,” try this. Another choice is CATERER. Usually, this person serves food. In a crossword, it means someone who serves every whim. Using the wrong word leads to a dead end. Read the hints carefully. This helps you avoid mistakes.

Turning Clues into Solutions

Stress is common when you are stuck. You might worry you are not smart enough. This is not true. Crosswords are about practice. The more you see the sycophant crossword clue, the easier it gets. You will see the answer fast. This skill comes from seeing words often. You are training your brain.

Common Errors to Avoid

Do not confuse a sycophant with a helper. A helper is good. A sycophant is fake. If the clue is about a nice person, the answer is not here. Look for mean or negative words.

• GOOD: Assistant, Aide.
• BAD: LACKEY, PUPPET.

Picking the right mood is important. It keeps your grid accurate. You will feel a surge of confidence.

Handling the Last Five Percent

Many solvers feel great at the start. Then they hit a wall. Usually, one corner stays empty. The sycophant crossword clue often sits there. This is because words like FAWNER use hard letters.

When you feel stress, remember it is normal. Take a deep breath. Look at the letters you have. If you have an F and an R, try FAWNER. Solving this one word unlocks the rest. You will feel great when the corner makes sense.

Solving Clues with Themes

Puzzles often have a theme. A theme connects the long words. If the theme is “The Beach,” try SPONGER. If the theme is “Dogs,” try LAPDOG. Matching the answer to the theme is a pro tip. It shows you think like the creator. It takes away the guesswork.

More Letter Patterns

If you have letters in the middle, use this list.

• _ _ A _ _: Try TOADY.
• _ _ _ K _ _: Try LACKEY.
• _ _ R _ _ _ _ E: Try PARASITE.
• _ _ O _ _ _ _ _ E R: Try BROWNNOSER.

Middle letters are like missing puzzle pieces. It feels good when they fit. You can move on with a smile.

The Difference Between a Fan and a Sycophant

Creators might try to trick you. A “Number one fan” might be a sycophant. But the answer could be ADULATOR. A sycophant acts for a selfish reason. If the clue sounds like they want something, use our list. Look for “fake” words. This is a key skill for Sunday papers.

Tips for Sunday Puzzles

Sunday puzzles are the biggest. They use very long rows. For this clue, look for ten-letter words.

• APPLEPOLISHER: A classic long answer.
• BOOTLICKERS: Fits eleven boxes if plural.

These long words are “grid-spanners.” They give you many free letters. This is the best way to win. It turns a giant grid into easy wins.

Why You Should Never Give Up

Do not look at the answers in the back yet. Use this guide first. When you solve a hard word like LICKSPITTLE, you feel happy. This boost helps you stay sharp. Every time you solve this clue, you learn. Next time, you will not need help. You will be the expert.

The Secret of the Vowels

Vowels are the letters A, E, I, O, and U. They hold words together. Most sycophant words have many vowels.

• TOADY has two.
• ADULATOR has four.
• PARASITE has four.

If you need vowels, try ADULATOR. If you need consonants, try LACKEY. This helps you narrow the list. It saves you time. It stops you from feeling overwhelmed.

Specific Clues and Their Answers

Sometimes the clue is a short phrase.

• “Yes-man”: Try TOADY or LACKEY.
• “Bootlicker”: Try FAWNER or SUCKUP.
• “Teacher’s pet”: Try APPLEPOLISHER.

Knowing these phrases helps you skip the thinking step. You see the phrase and know the word. This is how pros solve puzzles in minutes.

Identifying the Intent

When you search for a clue, you are often in a rush. You want to finish and feel smart. We understand that. That is why we put the best words at the top. We want you to feel relief. We want you to win your daily game.

Using Visual Logic

Imagine the grid as a map. Each letter is a stop. The sycophant crossword clue is a crossroad. If you get it right, every path opens. If you get it wrong, you hit a wall. Use this guide as your map. It will lead you to the finish line.

Final Thoughts for Solvers

You now have every tool to solve the sycophant crossword clue. You know the short words like TOADY. You know the long words like BOOTLICKER. You know the history of figs. You know how to check for plurals.

Crosswords are a great way to keep your brain young. They help you learn new words. They give you a goal every day. Do not let one tricky word take that away. With this guide, you are ready for any puzzle. Go back to your grid with confidence. Put those letters in their boxes. Enjoy the feeling of a finished puzzle. You have earned it!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most common 5-letter answer for a sycophant crossword clue?

The most frequent 5-letter answer is TOADY. It appears in almost all major puzzles like the NYT, LA Times, and USA Today. If you have five boxes and the third letter is ‘A’, this is almost certainly the word you need. Other less common 5-letter options include CREEP or LEECH.

How do I know if the answer should be plural?

Always check the clue for an ‘S’ at the end. If the clue is “Sycophants” or “Followers,” your answer must be plural. For a 7-letter plural, the answer is often TOADIES. For a 6-letter plural, look for YESMEN. Matching the plural form is a quick way to fix a grid that does not seem to fit.

What is the difference between a sycophant and a fawner in a puzzle?

While they mean the same thing, they fit different grid lengths. FAWNER is 6 letters long and is used when the clue hints at “overly sweet” behavior. SYCOPHANT is the person, and FAWNING is the action. If you have 6 boxes and the word ends in ‘R’, try FAWNER.

What is a 10-letter word for a sycophant used in American crosswords?

The most popular 10-letter answers are BOOTLICKER and BROWNNOSER. In many American puzzles, APPLE-POLISHER is also used. These long words are often “theme” words that stretch across the middle of the puzzle. Getting one of these right usually helps you solve five or six “Down” clues instantly.

Why is “Toady” such a popular crossword answer for this clue?

Crossword creators love TOADY because it has a helpful mix of vowels (O and A) and common consonants (T and D). These letters are very easy to link with other words in a tight corner. If you are stuck in a small section of the grid, TOADY is the most likely “bridge” word to help you finish.

Are there any 4-letter answers for sycophant?

Yes, though they are rare. The word LACA is sometimes used in very difficult or older puzzles. If you only have four boxes and none of the common words fit, check if the letters for LACA match your crossing words.

What should I do if none of the common synonyms fit my grid?

If you are still stuck, look at the clue again to see if it is “Cryptic.” A cryptic clue might use a pun. For example, a “flatterer” might be a FLATTER (something that makes things flat, like a steamroller). However, for a standard puzzle, double-check your “Down” clues. One wrong letter in a crossing word is the most common reason a correct synonym like YESMAN won’t fit.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While we strive for 100% accuracy, crossword clues and answers can vary by publication, date, and puzzle creator. We are not affiliated with the New York Times, The Daily Telegraph, or any other puzzle publisher. All trademarks and brand names mentioned are the property of their respective owners. Use of these solutions is at the user’s discretion to assist in personal gameplay.

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