flattery
noun
flat·tery
ˈfla-tə-rē 
plural flatteries
1
a
: the act or practice of flattering
She uses the art of flattery to her advantage.
b(1)
: something that flatters
A compliment is flattery …—
Harry Shaw
Harry Shaw
(2)
: insincere or excessive praise
He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
2
obsolete
: a pleasing self-deception
Synonyms
Examples of flattery in a Sentence
He tried to win his teacher's favor with flattery.
a talk show host who is known for charming her guests with disingenuous flattery
Recent Examples on the Web
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Reese Witherspoon must hold Nicole Kidman in very high esteem.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 16 June 2024
Also popular is Chicken Shop Date, another poultry-centric YouTube show on which heartthrobs like Dominic Fike and Paul Mescal chew on drumsticks while basking in the awkward flattery of comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, according to JoJo Siwa.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 6 May 2024
And yet, this is the ultimate form of respect to players such as James – imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for flattery 
Shania Russell, EW.com, 16 June 2024
Also popular is Chicken Shop Date, another poultry-centric YouTube show on which heartthrobs like Dominic Fike and Paul Mescal chew on drumsticks while basking in the awkward flattery of comedian Amelia Dimoldenberg.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Imitation truly is the sincerest form of flattery, according to JoJo Siwa.
—Nicholas Rice, Peoplemag, 6 May 2024
And yet, this is the ultimate form of respect to players such as James – imitation being the sincerest form of flattery.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for flattery
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flattery.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near flattery
Cite this Entry
“Flattery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattery. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
flattery
noun
flat·tery
ˈflat-ə-rē
plural flatteries
1
: the act of flattering
2
: praise that is excessive or not sincere
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