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
Verb
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
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Its loose, drapey fit is flattering and creates an effortless, classy look.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Everton appear locked in a cycle where their starting No 9 flatters to deceive, is left out for the next game, but then the replacement fares little better.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatter
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Verb
Kershaw was flattered by the offer.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2025
Its loose, drapey fit is flattering and creates an effortless, classy look.
—Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
Not only that, the mid-rise design fits and flatters almost everyone, and Levi’s are notorious for lasting forever.
—Claire Gallam, Travel + Leisure, 7 Oct. 2025
Everton appear locked in a cycle where their starting No 9 flatters to deceive, is left out for the next game, but then the replacement fares little better.
—Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 6 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flatter
Cite this Entry
“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatter. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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