View synonyms for

flattering

[ flat-er-ing ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

enhancing the appearance of a person or thing, as by highlighting pleasing features or making less pleasing ones inconspicuous:
You'll receive expert advice on the most flattering shades of makeup for your complexion.
causing a person or thing to seem better or more attractive than is really the case:
She avoids the weakness of many memoirs by not creating an overly flattering picture of herself or her parents.
pleasing or gratifying someone by attention or compliments:
The publisher sent me a very flattering invitation to write a study of Robert Browning.
praising or complimenting someone insincerely or excessively, especially in an attempt to curry favor:
I’m a remarkably accurate judge of people’s character, and am not misled by flattering words or nice clothes.

noun

the act of attempting to curry favor by praising or complimenting someone insincerely or excessively:
After a glass of cognac and much flattering and coaxing, he did finally grant our request.

Discover More

Other Word Forms

�ڱ��·�ٱ��·��Բ�·�� adverb
�󲹱��-�ڱ��·�ٱ��·��Բ� adjective
half-�ڱ��·�ٱ��·��Բ�·�� adverb
�ܲ�·�ڱ��·�ٱ��·��Բ� adjective
un·�ڱ��·�ٱ��·��Բ�·�� adverb

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of flattering¹

First recorded in 1200–50; flatter ¹( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective senses; flatter ¹( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun sense

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“I can’t help but wonder whether my frequent, and less than flattering, public comments regarding their president and his administration played a role,” he wrote.

From

He switched to the kind of flattering language Trump demands and agreed to an American plan for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.

From

"I want to create my own financial empire," a scripted character – a female crypto expert at an international bank - says to her target, before flattering him and encouraging him to share his dreams.

From

But he had less flattering words for opposition parties, labelling them members of a "criminal cartel".

From

He did that by praising, flattering and gently cajoling the US president as they took questions in the Oval Office and held a joint news conference.

From

Related Words

complimentary

flattered flatter oneself

Browse