1
as in to commend
to praise too much
the billionaire has an army of assistants who are eager to flatter him at every opportunity
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flatter
Sleek and shiny is always flattering for dark hair.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
This led to a lot of impromptu chants by MSG that were less than flattering toward the officials and some of the Spurs players.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Are they designed to flatter progressive sensibilities or provoke them?
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The actress attended the 2026 French Open in Paris on Sunday in a pair of flattering Jimmy Choo sandals, after recently stepping out in Roger Vivier and Margaux shoes.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatter
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 10 June 2026
This led to a lot of impromptu chants by MSG that were less than flattering toward the officials and some of the Spurs players.
—Zach Harper, New York Times, 9 June 2026
Are they designed to flatter progressive sensibilities or provoke them?
—Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The actress attended the 2026 French Open in Paris on Sunday in a pair of flattering Jimmy Choo sandals, after recently stepping out in Roger Vivier and Margaux shoes.
—Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 8 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatter
Verb
-
The mayor and commissioner said police will be out in full force for the parade, as both commended NYPD officers for their work Saturday night when 63 people were arrested.—
Marcia Kramer,
CBS News,
15 June 2026
-
Macron commended Trump for the announcement of the memorandum of understanding with Iran and for attending the G7 summit, which France is hosting, during his opening remarks.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
15 June 2026
Verb
-
Pittsburgh is a city that prides itself on supporting local businesses, and there’s no better place to see that in action than the Strip District.—
Gabby Sartori,
USA Today,
19 June 2026
-
In a city that prides itself on international flavors, Loryn Nalic’s food shines.—
Erika Ebsworth-Goold,
Midwest Living,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
Verb
-
Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.—
Vann R. Newkirk II,
The Atlantic,
19 June 2026
-
In a clip shared on social media, a beaming Kolek could be seen trotting alongside the parade barricade, where scores of fans enthusiastically extended their hands to high-five the point guard and congratulate him.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
19 June 2026
Verb
-
But Argentina’s talisman stroked it wide of the net.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
23 June 2026
-
The responder then bends down to gently stroke the bird before getting another idea.—
Raven Brunner,
PEOPLE,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
Many supported their battle, praising them for taking the step.—
Rhea Mogul,
CNN Money,
21 June 2026
-
Sebastián Beccacece, the coach of La Tri, praised Ecuador fans in his pre-game news conference.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
21 June 2026
Verb
-
After a long line of speakers alternately applauded or slammed the McLean senior living complex’s bid to build 40 more homes, the zoning board in Simsbury continued its hearing until next month.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
22 June 2026
-
Iran defying obstacles at the World Cup Iran’s Hossein Kanani applauds fans after a 0-0 draw against Belgium in Los Angeles on Sunday.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
22 June 2026
Verb
-
The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.—
Christine Michel Carter,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
-
Know-nothings pretend that Schrader’s Bressonian mannerisms reveal the spiritual depths of contemporary crisis, when, in fact, Master Gardener repeats the same social-collapse paranoia that made secular reviewers overpraise the religious, racial, suicide-bomber topics of First Reformed.—
Armond White,
National Review,
24 May 2023
Cite this Entry
“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatter. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
