flattery

¹

[flat-uh-ree]

noun

plural

flatteries 

1. the act of flattering.

2. a flattering compliment or speech; excessive, insincere praise.

   Synonyms: pandering, sycophancy

Flattery

²

[flat-ree]

noun

1. Cape, a cape in NW Washington, on the Olympic Peninsula, at the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait.

flattery

/ ˈflætərɪ /

noun

1. the act of flattering

2. excessive or insincere praise

Word History and Origins

Origin of flattery¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English flaterie, from Middle French, equivalent to flat(er) “to flatter” + -erie noun suffix; flatter ¹, -ery

Example Sentences

Some leaders have learned that flattery—and a healthy dose of lobbying in person—can earn them big rewards.

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"I don't want flattery. I want to hear the truth. It's the people who kept telling me that everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation," he said.

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World leaders appear to have realised Nobel flattery is a way to his heart.

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They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – and now we have Arne Slot's Liverpool repeating the old Ferguson punishment as they relentlessly pursue victories and trophies.

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Experts say flattery and agreement built into large language models can fuel such delusions.

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