flattery

[flat-uh-ree]

See more synonyms for flattery on Thesaurus.com

noun, plural flat·ter·ies.

the act of flattering.
a flattering compliment or speech; excessive, insincere praise.

Origin of flattery

1275–1325; Middle English flaterie < Middle French, equivalent to flat(er) to flatter + -erie -ery. Cf. flatter¹

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com

2. sycophancy, toadying, fawning, pandering.

Flattery

[flat-ree]

noun

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for flattery

Contemporary Examples

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, this is high praise.
The Stoner's Guide to the Internet
Abby Haglage
August 6, 2014
It used to be that we said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
You Can’t ‘Steal’ a Culture: In Defense of Cultural Appropriation
John McWhorter
July 15, 2014
Giger thought the best form of flattery was the body art inspired by his work.
Hollywood’s Sci-Fi Artist H.R. Giger Dead at 74
Justin Jones
May 13, 2014
If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, maybe Miley will land that Vogue cover after all.
Miley Cyrus Debuts Anna Wintour-esque Bob; Lady Gaga Dresses as a Christmas Tree
The Fashion Beast Team
December 9, 2013
Part of that is surely just the sort of flattery for which the Senate is nauseatingly well-known.
Ted Cruz Might Just Have Won the Future for the GOP
Nick Gillespie
September 25, 2013

Historical Examples

"Flattery to ourselves does not change the nature of what is wrong," answered Philothea.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
The request, thus aided by flattery, was almost unanimously granted.
Philothea
Lydia Maria Child
The singularity that struck me most about her ladyship was her indifference to flattery.
Tales And Novels, Volume 4 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
Therefore I give up all manner of claim to every thing but—flattery!
Tales And Novels, Volume 3 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth
He clavers them over with flattery as the snake clavers the rabbit.
American Notes
Rudyard Kipling

British Dictionary definitions for flattery

flattery

noun plural -teries

the act of flattering
excessive or insincere praise

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for flattery

n.

early 14c., from Old French flaterie, from flater (see flatter).

flattery

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}flattery

Synonyms

Flattery

Related Words

Examples from the Web for flattery

Contemporary Examples

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, this is high praise.

It used to be that we said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Giger thought the best form of flattery was the body art inspired by his work.

If imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery, maybe Miley will land that Vogue cover after all.

Part of that is surely just the sort of flattery for which the Senate is nauseatingly well-known.

Historical Examples

"Flattery to ourselves does not change the nature of what is wrong," answered Philothea.

The request, thus aided by flattery, was almost unanimously granted.

The singularity that struck me most about her ladyship was her indifference to flattery.

Therefore I give up all manner of claim to every thing but—flattery!

He clavers them over with flattery as the snake clavers the rabbit.

flattery

Word Origin and History for flattery

n.

Origin of flattery