flattering

[ flat-er-ing ]

/ ˈflæt ər ɪŋ /

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See synonyms for: flattering / flatterings on Thesaurus.com

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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of flattering

flatter¹ + -ing² for the adjective senses; flatter¹ + -ing¹ for the noun sense

OTHER WORDS FROM flattering

flat·ter·ing·ly, adverbhalf-flat·ter·ing, adjectivehalf-flat·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·flat·ter·ing, adjective

un·flat·ter·ing·ly, adverb

Words nearby flattering

flat tax, flatten, flatten the curve, flatter, flattered, flattering, flatter oneself, flattery, flattie, flatties, flatting

How to use flattering in a sentence

In the years since, he has become the go-to designer for some of the most prominent women in the world, thanks to his career-long commitment to designing clothes that flatter all women, regardless of size or background.
Introducing the TIME 2030 Committee Advising on Solutions for the Future|TIME Staff|February 5, 2021|Time
A flatter script could have easily made Kylie the hard-edged instigator of most of the conflict between her and her mother, but O’Reilly always lets us see how much Kylie cares about her family beneath her ongoing frustration with her confinement.
One Good Thing: Housebound is the perfect horror comedy for the perpetually quarantined|Aja Romano|December 31, 2020|Vox
At a time when other Paris labels were obsessed with flattering the female form, Cardin’s designs cast the wearer as a sort of glorified hanger, there to showcase the clothes’ sharp shapes and graphic patterns.
Pierre Cardin, legendary fashion designer and licensing genius, dies at 98|Bernhard Warner|December 29, 2020|Fortune
I mean the notion that the artist’s job is not to entertain the audience or flatter its beliefs, not to praise the lord, the group, or the sports drink, but to speak a new truth.
Art has been brutalized by tech’s giants. How can it survive?|Konstantin Kakaes|December 23, 2020|MIT Technology Review

I was more impressed when she nailed a few less flattering character traits.
Can Self-Help Books Really Make a New You?|Lizzie Crocker|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Once in power, they often hired gifted artists to portray them in flattering and benevolent poses.
Great Renaissance Art Thrived Amid Filth|Nick Romeo|December 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is almost flattering to the incarcerated population, in my opinion.
Reading Prison Novels In Prison|Daniel Genis|May 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For the most part, however, the day was all about flattering the assembled—even as they were urged to never, ever, ever give up.
Tea Party Is 5! No More Tantrums?|Michelle Cottle|February 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This noble effort won Letta the flattering honor of having “balls of steel”.
Florentine Mayor Matteo Renzi to Lead Italy|Barbie Latza Nadeau|February 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Kaye's expressive eyes, which had dwelt on Isabel with flattering attention, fell to the tip of her cigarette.
Ancestors|Gertrude Atherton
Naturally, the picture was not perfect, but it well merited the flattering reception which it received.
Bastien Lepage|Fr. Crastre
I was flattering myself that the puppy was choosing my company to the hunt, for I always value the approval of a dog.
The Soldier of the Valley|Nelson Lloyd
She, of course, was received with the most flattering attention, and great deference was paid to her opinions.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
This was very flattering to those ladies, especially the Diplomast, considering the great odds they had to contend with.
The Condition, Elevation, Emigration, and Destiny of the Colored People of the United States|Martin R. Delany