flattering
adjective
flat·ter·ing
ˈfla-tər-iŋ
1
: marked by flattery: such as
a
: showing or expressing gratifying respect or admiration
a flattering comparison
His colleagues might have disowned him, but they didn't receive flattering invitations to speak all over the country and to write for The New York Times.—Richard Dawkins
b
: excessively or insincerely complimentary
… a steady stream of ham actors, all of whom were welcomed with flattering speeches.—H. L. Mencken
2
: helping to enhance attractiveness
a necktie in a flattering color
… dictating the most flattering camera angles.—David Margolick
The gowns were indeed smashing: smart, sexy, eye-catching, and very, very flattering.—The New Yorker
flatteringly
adverb
The so-called Generation X has been described by some—not flatteringly—as a scavenger culture that gathers music, art and fashions from recent past generations rather than creating its own.
—Steve Hochman
Her upper body is all besuited business—the black jacket, the white blouse reflecting flatteringly on the face, the understated silver choker and earrings, the burnished brown bob.
—Rebecca Mead
Cite this Entry
“Flattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattering. Accessed 14 Aug. 2026.
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