as in praise
excessive praise
a talk show host who is known for charming her guests with disingenuous flattery
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of flattery
Advertisement An alternative to flattery AI proposed by researchers from Harvard and the University of Montreal is antagonistic AI.
—
Arianna Huffington, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
On Wall Street, speculation is often the sincerest form of flattery.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
This ridiculous man, who seems to value nothing besides flattery and personal enrichment, has achieved in mere months feats of which the conservative movement has dreamed for a lifetime.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Such alignment can easily be misread as flattery.
—Adrian Kuenzler, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattery
Arianna Huffington, Time, 14 Jan. 2026
On Wall Street, speculation is often the sincerest form of flattery.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 31 Dec. 2025
This ridiculous man, who seems to value nothing besides flattery and personal enrichment, has achieved in mere months feats of which the conservative movement has dreamed for a lifetime.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Such alignment can easily be misread as flattery.
—Adrian Kuenzler, The Conversation, 19 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattery
Noun
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If someone fishes for attention, offer praise while naming your need for equal give and take, because harmony grows when kindness and clarity share space.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 Feb. 2026
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Miles was also quick to offer the same type of praise for Suarez.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Inside, hyaluronic acid microspheres and peptides draw moisture into the lips, while botanical butters lock it in; depositing onto lips a cooling, balm texture that enhances comfort.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
21 Feb. 2026
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Olive oil chocolate chip cookies, cashew-chia pudding, tahini rice crispy treats, and more desserts made without butter, milk, or cream.—
Emily Saladino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
21 Feb. 2026
Noun
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No, after basking in the adulation of 4 million diverse neighbors every summer, the players will not turn their backs on these people while the government continues to round them up despite no criminal history.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
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Another, almost entirely fictive identity would afford him freedom and adulation.—
David Treuer,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Nautilus quickly earned critical acclaim, becoming the first publication to win two National Magazine Awards in its first year of eligibility.—
Brendan Ruberry,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
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The Chilean director earned international acclaim with the Oscar-nominated No, with later standouts including Jackie, Spencer, El Conde and the recent Angelina Jolie starrer, Maria — a career that has consistently spanned arthouse cinema and prestige English-language filmmaking.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Taylor arrives as a legitimate Oscar threat with the kind of adoration and critics reviews that make voters take notice.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
19 Feb. 2026
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Over the course of the show, the pair develop a dysfunctional, surprisingly critical father-son dynamic, despite Gene's compulsive desire for adoration and Barry's, well, need to kill.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Watch an encounter full of sweet talk, gaslighting and tension here.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
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Don’t fall for compliments that don’t feel genuine, and don’t be afraid to confront whatever’s beneath someone’s sweet talk.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattery. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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