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

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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 Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and that's exactly why beautiful paint colors are subject to overuse. — Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 21 June 2026 Unfortunately, Trump takes servile flattery as his due. — Robert Kagan, The Atlantic, 19 June 2026 That, plus a golden iPhone (or key to the city) and a bit of flattery, should do the trick. — Ravi Gupta, New York Daily News, 10 June 2026 Hadley learned that Vintilla had been working as a restaurant hostess in London when Andrew connected with her on Instagram and began bombarding her with flattery. — Heidi Blake, New Yorker, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for flattery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattery

Noun

Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town).

— Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 July 2026
Amassing 2 million views and widespread praise, these videos feature photorealistic AI versions of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, with stories set between *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

Fans showered Ovechkin with cheers and adulation, despite his refusal to acknowledge the surrounding uncertainty.

— Sean Gentille, New York Times, 2 July 2026
Each member derives her own realizations from this experience, with its dual crucibles of grindingly hard work and pop adulation.

— Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 25 June 2026

Definition of adulation

Noun

Part of that adoration comes from a high level of public awareness about wildlife and conservation in Tasmania, home to many endemic species found nowhere else in the world.

— Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
Marylanders showed their adoration by naming Montgomery County for him.

— Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 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 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of flattery

noun

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