1
as in praising
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 priding
to think highly of (oneself)
don't flatter yourself that no one has ever thought of that idea before
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in laudatory
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
2
as in excessive
Related Words
Dissimilar 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 flattering
Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Sometimes that truth was heroic—his tireless advocacy for Leonard Peltier, or in defense of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—and sometimes the truth was less flattering.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Constructed with a flattering crossover waistband, ultra-wide pant legs, and deep side pockets, these stretchy, breathable pants are perfect for workouts, long walks, and, of course, lengthy travel days.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattering
Verb
Texas Tech fans have always had a reputation, and outside of Red Raider nation and Lubbock, their fame isn’t flattering.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2025
Sometimes that truth was heroic—his tireless advocacy for Leonard Peltier, or in defense of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge—and sometimes the truth was less flattering.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
Make no mistake, though — this isn’t just any lip gloss but a tinted one, whose 12-hour hydration is complemented by buildable, complexion-flattering color.
—Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2025
Constructed with a flattering crossover waistband, ultra-wide pant legs, and deep side pockets, these stretchy, breathable pants are perfect for workouts, long walks, and, of course, lengthy travel days.
—Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattering
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattering
Verb
-
People in the comments responded jubilantly, praising the train for chowing down on another soul.—
Kaitlyn Tiffany,
The Atlantic,
22 Oct. 2025
-
When the plug was pulled back in May, Congressman Brian Babin—a Texas Republican and chair of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee—issued a statement praising the move.—
Jeffrey Kluger,
Time,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
If bookmaking was in theory the keel that kept the ship upright, in practice Bowyer often treated it as another gamble, priding himself on taking bets that his competition wouldn’t touch.—
DAVID AMSDEN,
Rolling Stone,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The post-premiere reactions were nothing short of laudatory.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
8 Oct. 2025
-
Speaking of rambunctious audiences, the crazy laudatory-clapping disease has infected the Jimmy Kimmel Live!—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The thunderstorms could also bring excessive rainfall in northern Arkansas, southern Missouri and southern Illinois, bringing a risk of flash flooding, the weather service said.—
Jeanine Santucci,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
-
There are risks of severe thunderstorms and excessive rainfall on Saturday from the Ozarks into the mid-Mississippi River Valley with potential for damaging winds, large hail, tornadoes, and flash flooding.—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
After commending leaders for their work, the president spoke of changes being made at the Pentagon, including the decision to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Cozens’ former teammate Kyle Okposo took to Cozens right away, even commending the youngster for his leadership skills.—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Viewer Reactions The TikTok video reached over 110,000 views, nearly 8,000 likes and 2277 comments, with people congratulating the owner on their new home and melting over the dog's precious reaction.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
-
International Game Technology shared the big win in a Facebook post and a few people commented congratulating the winner.—
Helena Wegner,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The dilemmas of post-revolutionary life—in particular, the gap between fulsome propaganda and flawed realities—were efficiently captured, as usual, in the popular genre known as the anekdot.—
Benjamin Nathans
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
It was crafted for robust and fulsome flavor from start to finish.—
Gege Reed,
The Courier-Journal,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Simply moisten the skin on the face and massaging the formula in circular motions.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Create some suspense and anticipation by going in slowly, starting with the head and just massaging it slightly with the tip of your tongue.—
Ian Kumamoto,
Them.,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Flattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flattering. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share