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

(2)

: insincere or excessive praise

He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.

2

obsolete : a pleasing self-deception

Synonyms

• adulation
• blarney
• butter
• flannel [British]
• incense
• overpraise
• soft soap
• sweet talk
• taffy

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

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

At the same time, Xi is offering Mao the sincerest form of flattery. —Nick Frisch, Foreign Affairs, 17 May 2016

But there’s a point of diminishing returns; excessive flattery can cause a model’s performance to deteriorate, according to the paper. —Webb Wright, Scientific American, 25 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

see flatter entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing flattery

• flattery will get you nowhere
• self-flattery

Kids Definition

flattery

noun

flat·​tery ˈflat-ə-rē 

plural flatteries

1

: the act of flattering

2

: praise that is excessive or not sincere