noun
flattery; adulation; sycophancy
Refers to insincere praise or excessive compliments intended to gain favor. Often used in negative contexts, implying servile or obsequious behavior.
彼の言葉は単なるへつらいに過ぎない。
His words are nothing but flattery.
上司へのへつらいが目に余る。
His sycophancy toward his boss is unbearable.
お世辞 is a more common and lighter term for flattery or compliments, often used in social situations without strong negative connotations. へつらい implies a more servile and insincere attitude.
追従 also means flattery or sycophancy, but it can be used as a suru-verb (追従する). へつらい is a noun and often appears in the phrase へつらいの言葉 or へつらいを言う.
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.