flattery
noun
flat·tery
ˈfla-tə-rē 
plural flatteries
1
a
: the act or practice of flattering
She uses the art of flattery to her advantage.
b(1)
: something that flatters
A compliment is flattery …—
Harry Shaw
Harry Shaw
(2)
: insincere or excessive praise
He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
2
obsolete
: a pleasing self-deception
Examples of flattery in a Sentence
He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
a talk show host who is known for charming her guests with disingenuous flattery
Recent Examples on the Web
Opt for wispy wisteria bangs for something low maintenance or turn up the face-framing flattery with a thicker curtain fringe.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Bruno Mars’ heroes are drowning in compliments.
—Brittany Spanos, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Fake-news flattery as aspirational policy—why not?
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, eh?
—Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattery
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Grace McCarty, Glamour, 3 Mar. 2026
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Bruno Mars’ heroes are drowning in compliments.
—Brittany Spanos, Pitchfork, 3 Mar. 2026
Fake-news flattery as aspirational policy—why not?
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 27 Feb. 2026
Hey, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, eh?
—Miami Herald, 17 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattery
Cite this Entry
“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattery. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flattery
noun
flat·tery
ˈflat-ə-rē
plural flatteries
1
: the act of flattering
2
: praise that is excessive or not sincere
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