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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Three Practical Moves To Create Accountability Three habits convert a flattery machine into something more useful. — Samuel Rodrigues, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026 While the purpose of the video may have been didactic, Jiang tried her hand at flattery. — Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 July 2026 Sanghee, who has a day job importing snacks and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with the family as old secrets, unsolicited advice and hollow flattery come to the surface. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026 Rutte’s approach of using flattery to win over the president prompted some to question whether this had delivered any tangible benefits for the alliance. — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for flattery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattery

Noun

Someone could see your value and potential, and perhaps offer you praise or an opportunity of sorts, but your schedule could be maxed out.

— Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
Clinton was one of many women in national politics sharing their praise and gratitude for Steinem.

— Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

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
What might her bandmate Daniela Avanzini have to say in a song about their past year of adulation and never-ending scrutiny?

— Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of adulation

Noun

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
So, too, do the antics of his estate manager (a buoyant Sam Adegoke), always concocting money-making schemes, and the wide-eyed adoration of the girl next door (Amelia Mason, deftly balancing naïveté with seductiveness), who wants to save him.

— Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of adoration

Browse Nearby Words

flatters

flattery

flatulent

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattery. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of flattery

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

loath

Popular in Grammar & Usage

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

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

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

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes