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
Synonyms
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
White columnists wrote him open letters, processing their own feelings about race, alternating between flattery and belligerence.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Sometimes these comparisons are a form of flattery, as when supporters of the crown prince suggest that MbS, like Xi, is serious about pro-business reforms and government efficiency.
—Andrew Leber, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2017
In return, she’s received a big, bleak, brave, funny, showy role that demands an entire career reappraisal, plus the flattery of, at age 61, convincingly playing 50.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, covering your imitators is a whole other level of adulation.
—Leena Tailor, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flattery 
Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
Sometimes these comparisons are a form of flattery, as when supporters of the crown prince suggest that MbS, like Xi, is serious about pro-business reforms and government efficiency.
—Andrew Leber, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2017
In return, she’s received a big, bleak, brave, funny, showy role that demands an entire career reappraisal, plus the flattery of, at age 61, convincingly playing 50.
—Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, covering your imitators is a whole other level of adulation.
—Leena Tailor, SPIN, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for flattery
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flattery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flattery
Cite this Entry
“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattery. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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