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

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

As the public meeting neared an end, it looked like Lee's flattery had helped him avoid a Zelensky moment - the Ukrainian president's White House visit in February devolved into an angry spat.

From BBC

But either way, she quickly responds to the flattery with a return compliment, an unpretentious, “Thanks, I made it,” and moves the conversation forward.

From Los Angeles Times

In a tongue-in-cheek column for the Sunday Standard in 1977, Abu poked fun at the culture of political flattery with a fictional account of a meeting of the "All India Sycophantic Society".

From BBC