flattery; adulation; sycophancy
Refers to insincere praise or excessive compliments intended to gain favor. Often used in negative contexts, implying servile or obsequious behavior.
His words are nothing but flattery.
His sycophancy toward his boss is unbearable.
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 諂い and 諛い are rare and may not be recognized by many readers.
Rare kanji spelling; the character 諂 is not in the Jōyō kanji list.
Rare kanji spelling; the character 諛 is not in the Jōyō kanji list.
Derived from the verb へつらう (to flatter). The kanji 諂 and 諛 both carry meanings related to flattery, but the word is now predominantly written in kana.