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
Across millions of interactions, the system drifts towards flattery.
—
Tim Requarth, Longreads, 9 Apr. 2026
Imitation, of course, is the sincerest form of flattery.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
This tradition should be viewed as a form of flattery.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Over the past year many European leaders have tried to assuage Trump with a combination of flattery and accommodation, while drawing occasional red lines, such as with the American designs on Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattery
Tim Requarth, Longreads, 9 Apr. 2026
Imitation, of course, is the sincerest form of flattery.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 16 Mar. 2026
This tradition should be viewed as a form of flattery.
—U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Over the past year many European leaders have tried to assuage Trump with a combination of flattery and accommodation, while drawing occasional red lines, such as with the American designs on Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory.
—Tim Lister, CNN Money, 8 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flattery
Noun
-
Abel’s detailed knowledge about Berkshire’s operating businesses won praise, but the unexplained absence of substantial buybacks and a lack of clarity on the future of the equity portfolio and Berkshire’s big cash pile are coming up as negatives.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
-
Brown’s decision to change the Knicks’ offense while down 1-2 in the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks continues to draw high praise.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The dish had hardly a hint of sweetness at all beyond the butter’s lactic tang.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
-
If the figs aren’t perfectly ripe, sprinkle them with brown sugar and a dot of butter to help them along.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
But those self-adulations are often coupled with warnings that economic development success doesn’t happen by accident and can quickly slip away.—
Zachary Hansen,
AJC.com,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The shift started in earnest with the adulation Ichiro Suzuki received upon his arrival in Major League Baseball in 2001.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The backstage visit comes amid a major moment for Rudolph, whose run as Mary Todd Lincoln in the Tony-winning comedy has garnered critical and audience acclaim.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
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For his inspired stewardship, Cox, who died Saturday at the age of 84, several years after suffering a stroke, won widespread acclaim as one of the greatest managers the grand old game has ever known.—
Mark Bradley for the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
His adoration, here as in all things natural, is infectious, although the birds themselves care not a whit for him, and isn’t that part of the wonder, the fun?—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
8 May 2026
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The beloved radio broadcaster, who died at age 87 earlier in the day, was the subject of praise, reflection and adoration before the Yankees beat the Orioles, 12-1, and secured a four-game series sweep.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Watch an encounter full of sweet talk, gaslighting and tension here.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
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 11 May. 2026.
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