flatter

verb

ˈfla-tər How to pronounce flatter (audio)
Definition of flatternext
1
as in to commend
to praise too much the billionaire has an army of assistants who are eager to flatter him at every opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pride
to think highly of (oneself) don't flatter yourself that no one has ever thought of that idea before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flatter Even a few Republican loyalists have recoiled at the extravagant pageantry, seemingly designed to flatter Xi and awe a domestic audience, although the absence of TV cameras at the Rose Garden ceremony undermined that low-ambition objective. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2026 It’s made from 98 percent cotton with a hint of elastane, offering a comfortable, stretchy, and figure-flattering fit that accentuates my waistline, while the not-too-short hem elongates my legs. — Ali Faccenda, InStyle, 25 Sep. 2026 Booking reports in dollars but earns mostly in other currencies, and a weak dollar flattered early-year headline growth by several points. — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026 Said bows were worn undone, tapping into Waterhouse’s rock star aesthetic that is slightly disheveled but always flattering. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatter
  1. commend
  2. pride
  3. honey
  4. congratulate
  5. stroke
  6. praise
  7. applaud
  8. overpraise
Verb
  • Fine art’s real estate crisis and its wholesale entrenchment in money laundering perhaps commend the political possibilities of unfine modes?
    — Anna Kornbluh, ARTnews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
  • With very few exceptions, roses were offered to commend male medieval rulers, often ones who had militarily defended Catholicism.
    — Joëlle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Gherardini, the Florentine company established in 1885, prides itself on being one of Italy’s oldest leather goods brand.
    — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Stanford is a place that actually prides itself on having students from over 60 different countries in their incoming class.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of pride
Verb
  • The mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and honeyed, with a hint of marzipan.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of honey
Verb
  • Brown said a wild Knicks fan tailed him home to congratulate him on winning the Finals during a bike ride over the offseason.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • The young woman on the left strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous.
    — Anna Griffin, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Charli even stroked the bathroom hand dryer — a clever reference to everybody’s favorite scene in Desperately Seeking Susan.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • The one-minute television spot includes Poindexter’s daughters praising their father for his work ethic and dedication to their family.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Smoke’N Ash is also praised for Patrick Hicks’ brisket, pork ribs and rib tips, along with an extensive menu of desserts.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Mac Haddow of the American Kratom Association has applauded the DEA’s 7-OH ban but has also blamed irresponsible consumers for any deaths caused by natural kratom use.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Bryan’s on-stage statement immediately drew a lot of negative feedback from conservative fans, although there are pockets on the right that have come out against Israel’s actions in Gaza who applauded Bryan.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.
    — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.
    — Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023
Definition of overpraise

Browse Nearby Words

flattens
flatter
flattered
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatter. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All