FLATTERY 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 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 Fake travel email uses flattery The message says your activity placed you among a select number of loyal members. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for flattery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattery

Noun

The pivot generated brilliant press, local political praise, and high trustee engagement.

— Aparna Rae, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Your album has been receiving a lot of praise from fans and critics.

— Kailyn Brown, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of praise

Noun

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
The adulation was directed at Harvey Levin, the co-creator and editor of the tabloid news organization.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 July 2026

Definition of adulation

Noun

Pfeiffer received critical acclaim for her TV performances this year in Apple TV’s Margo’s Got Money Troubles and Paramount+’s The Madison.

— Mariel Turner, HollywoodReporter, 21 Aug. 2026
Anderson has garnered critical and mainstream acclaim in recent years thanks to dramatic and comedic turns including The Last Showgirl — which got her a Golden Globe nomination — and the Naked Gun reboot from Paramount.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of acclaim

Noun

Instant fame and all its trappings are something most people would love to marinate in, to soak up what almost always is fleeting adoration.

— Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
Another work, a small double-sided panel portraying the Virgin Mary and Child with a Franciscan friar in adoration on one side and the dead Christ in Pietà on the other, was also stolen.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 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 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of flattery

noun

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