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

But despite Lamb’s flattery, the veteran wideout seems content with remaining in Dallas. —Paulina Dedaj, Fox News, 15 Feb. 2025

All the flattery concealed a number of tensions between the two nations, including on two of Mr. Trump’s signature issues, trade and immigration. —Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

But there’s something dingy and gross, like mottled drifts of old snow, about the overweening influence of Trump’s courtiers and their grubbing relationship with a president so obviously enamored of money and flattery. —Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025

One former senior Trump aide, who asked not to be named, speculated that Trump's pivot on TikTok could reflect TikTok's recent flattery of his deal-making abilities. —Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 23 Jan. 2025

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

Rhymes for flattery

• battery
• slattery

Kids Definition

flattery

noun

flat·​tery ˈflat-ə-rē 

plural flatteries

1

: the act of flattering

2

: praise that is excessive or not sincere