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
After the initial flattery, the tone shifts to isolating phrases.
—Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Our actual political landscape, in which government officials are adding journalists to top-secret group chats or running around in wrong-sized shoes as a form of flattery, has too far superseded anything even the most cutting jokester could ever have dreamed up.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Across millions of interactions, the system drifts towards flattery.
—Tim Requarth, Longreads, 9 Apr. 2026
But if online flattery is an accurate indicator, more Goodness Land would be a gift to Mediterranean food aficionados in the neighborhood.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattery
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Kathy and Ross Petrass, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2026
Our actual political landscape, in which government officials are adding journalists to top-secret group chats or running around in wrong-sized shoes as a form of flattery, has too far superseded anything even the most cutting jokester could ever have dreamed up.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 10 Apr. 2026
Across millions of interactions, the system drifts towards flattery.
—Tim Requarth, Longreads, 9 Apr. 2026
But if online flattery is an accurate indicator, more Goodness Land would be a gift to Mediterranean food aficionados in the neighborhood.
—Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 9 Apr. 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 26 Apr. 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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