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
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and that seems to be what Ariana Grande thinks about Kelly Ripa's impersonation of her.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Starmer at a meeting in Washington last week used a mixture of flattery and the invitation from the royal family for an unprecedented second state visit to try to win a commitment from Trump for a U.S. security guarantee to protect Ukraine if a deal to end the war with Russia can be reached.
—Andrew MacAskill and Kate Holton, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025
Jones would love for all of the attention toward himself and the Cowboys to be high praise and flattery, but the next best scenario is anger.
—Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Putin dismisses Trump’s sanctions threat while heaping praise and flattery on the president.
—Yonette Joseph, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattery
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 4 Mar. 2025
Starmer at a meeting in Washington last week used a mixture of flattery and the invitation from the royal family for an unprecedented second state visit to try to win a commitment from Trump for a U.S. security guarantee to protect Ukraine if a deal to end the war with Russia can be reached.
—Andrew MacAskill and Kate Holton, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025
Jones would love for all of the attention toward himself and the Cowboys to be high praise and flattery, but the next best scenario is anger.
—Saad Yousuf, The Athletic, 25 Jan. 2025
Putin dismisses Trump’s sanctions threat while heaping praise and flattery on the president.
—Yonette Joseph, New York Times, 21 Jan. 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 24 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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