Entry Word: flatter

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to praise too much <the billionaire had an army of assistants who flattered him at every opportunity>

Synonyms adulate, blarney, overpraise, soft-soap

Related Words blandish, cajole, coax, wheedle; fawn, kowtow, toady; idolize, worship; eulogize, extol (also extoll), laud, praise; applaud, commend, compliment; congratulate, felicitate; drool, gush, slaver, slobber; endear, ingratiate; court, woo

Near Antonyms bad-mouth, belittle, decry, depreciate, disparage, put down

2 to think highly of (oneself) <I flatter myself that no one had thought of that idea before> — see pride