flattered; flattering; flatters
1
: to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest
He flattered her with comments about how well she'd done.
2
archaic
: beguile sense 2
3
a
: to encourage or gratify by showing respect or admiration
They flattered me by asking me to speak.
b
: to congratulate (oneself) with respect to something
I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct.
4
a
: to portray too favorably
The portrait flatters him.
b
: to display to advantage
Candlelight often flatters the face.
: to use flattery
Examples of flatter in a Sentence
He flattered her with comments about her youthful appearance.
It flattered her to be asked to sing at their wedding.
That dress really flatters your figure.
Recent Examples on the Web
Are they designed to flatter progressive sensibilities or provoke them?
—
Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The oversized sweater design with short sleeves creates a flattering silhouette that skims rather than clings.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
The figure-flattering upper flows into an ultra-relaxed leg, giving them a lounge-on-the-couch type of feel.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 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
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Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
The oversized sweater design with short sleeves creates a flattering silhouette that skims rather than clings.
—Amanda Eyre Ward, Travel + Leisure, 8 June 2026
The figure-flattering upper flows into an ultra-relaxed leg, giving them a lounge-on-the-couch type of feel.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, PEOPLE, 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
Cite this Entry
“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatter. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
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