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
Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Her self-portrait isn’t always flattering.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
Using two butter knives or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks shaggy, with pea-size pieces and a few flatter shards.
—Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatter
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Verb
The color flattered her olive skin and dark hair and eyes.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Her self-portrait isn’t always flattering.
—Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Noun
The auto-assist mode simplifies things further by adjusting assist based on the slope, delivering maximum torque on steep climbs, and easing off on flatter sections.
—New Atlas, 1 Mar. 2026
Using two butter knives or a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture looks shaggy, with pea-size pieces and a few flatter shards.
—Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 27 Feb. 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 8 Mar. 2026.
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