FLATTERIES Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

flattery

noun

ˈfla-tə-rē

Definition of flattery

as in praise

excessive praise a talk show host who is known for charming her guests with disingenuous flattery

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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 flattery The message underneath the flattery is more consequential since Somaliland is no longer simply making a historical or moral case for recognition. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026 But Ridgeway pushes on, trying various means — flattery, insults, amateur psychology — to cajole her into delivering a new Ripley book. — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026 Global game Durant welcomes NBA’s international flair To Kevin Durant, imitation is not just flattery. — Shakeia Taylor, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026 Perhaps the highest form of flattery for a musician is to have another artist cover their song. — Kase Wickman, Vanity Fair, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flattery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattery

Noun

Sony revived Resident Evil last month and HBO drew big viewership and critical praise with The Last of Us, just to name a couple of recent success stories.

— Dade Hayes, Deadline, 8 Oct. 2026
Posters of Kate Moss photographed by Juergen Teller have been plastered over the city and praise for the exhibition has been handed largely to Enninful.

— Hikmat Mohammed, ARTnews.com, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

This adulation is all Fujino needs to take Kyomoto under her wing, and soon the two are inseparable, collaborating on strips where Fujino writes the stories and draws the figures while Kyomoto does the backgrounds.

— Jay Weissberg, Variety, 7 Sep. 2026
Djokovic will have cheers about as loud as the ones that will be heard for the Americans Shelton and Fritz, the type of adulation that often fizzles before the ultimate prize.

— Ava Wallace, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of adulation

Noun

The buzzy portrait of Tesla, X and SpaceX chief Elon Musk premiered at Venice to critical acclaim, currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (off 28 reviews, see Deadline’s here).

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2026
Like Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong, Widow’s Bay standout Kate O’Flynn could parlay her prestige-TV acclaim to Oscar attention for Tender Loving Care.

— Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Noun

Pan recalled attending a symphony in elementary school, while Kiley expressed his adoration for the Folsom Lake Symphony.

— Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 8 Oct. 2026
And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified.

— Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of adoration

Browse Nearby Words

flatters

flattery

flatulent

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“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattery. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of flattery

noun

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