flattery
noun
flat·tery
ˈfla-tə-rē 
plural flatteries
1
a
: the act or practice of flattering
She uses the art of flattery to her advantage.
b(1)
: something that flatters
A compliment is flattery …—
Harry Shaw
Harry Shaw
(2)
: insincere or excessive praise
He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
2
obsolete
: a pleasing self-deception
Examples of flattery in a Sentence
He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
a talk show host who is known for charming her guests with disingenuous flattery
Recent Examples on the Web
Starmer brought flattery and a state visit invitation from King Charles III to soften the ask.
—Zeke Miller, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
Trump must be laughing about Newsom’s obviously insincere flattery and being able to make the governor jump through his hoops.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
Some recall their dealings with him during his first term, when certain governors believed that federal aid was conditioned on flattery.
—Katie Glueck, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
The film Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman, received just-okay reviews, with many critics irked by its exorbitant flattery of both Michaels and SNL.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattery
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Zeke Miller, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025
Trump must be laughing about Newsom’s obviously insincere flattery and being able to make the governor jump through his hoops.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
Some recall their dealings with him during his first term, when certain governors believed that federal aid was conditioned on flattery.
—Katie Glueck, New York Times, 22 Feb. 2025
The film Saturday Night, directed by Jason Reitman, received just-okay reviews, with many critics irked by its exorbitant flattery of both Michaels and SNL.
—Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 13 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattery
Cite this Entry
“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattery. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flattery
noun
flat·tery
ˈflat-ə-rē
plural flatteries
1
: the act of flattering
2
: praise that is excessive or not sincere
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