flattery

[ flat-uh-ree ]

/ ˈflæt ə ri /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR flattery ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural flat·ter·ies.

the act of flattering.

a flattering compliment or speech; excessive, insincere praise.

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Can You Ace This Quiz About “Compliment” vs. “Complement”?

Take this quiz to see if you really know the difference between “compliment” and “complement"!

Question 1 of 11

“Compliment” and “complement” had a shared meaning a long time ago, but today they are no longer interchangeable.

True

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Origin of flattery

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

SYNONYMS FOR flattery

2 sycophancy, toadying, fawning, pandering.

SEE SYNONYMS FOR flattery ON THESAURUS.COM

Words nearby flattery

flatscreen, flatstick, flatten, flatter, flatter oneself, flattery, flattie, flatties, flatting, flattish, flattop

Definition for flattery (2 of 2)

Flattery

[ flat-ree ]

/ ˈflæt ri /

noun

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

Example sentences from the Web for flattery

If imitation is the highest form of flattery, this is high praise.
The Stoner's Guide to the Internet|Abby Haglage|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST

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|DAILY BEAST
No word of flattery nor even of mere approval ever passed her lips.
Paul Kelver|Jerome Klapka, AKA Jerome K. Jerome
Daquin was an accomplished courtier, and even improved upon Valot in the art of flattery.
The Catholic World. Volume II; Numbers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.|E. Rameur
She seems to have no love for him, beyond the pleasure his flattery has given her.
The Road to Frontenac|Samuel Merwin
We need not study to be expert in ceremony, or adroit in flattery.
The Loyalists, Vol. 1-3|Jane West
It is better to be rebuked by a wise man, than to be deceived by the flattery of fools.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version|Various

British Dictionary definitions for flattery

flattery

/ (ˈflætərɪ) /

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

flattery

noun, plural flat·ter·ies.

QUIZZES

Origin of flattery

SYNONYMS FOR flattery

Words nearby flattery

Definition for flattery (2 of 2)

noun

Words related to flattery

Example sentences from the Web for flattery

British Dictionary definitions for flattery

noun plural -teries