flatter
verb (used with object)
to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.
had been flattering
-
past perfect progressiveof flatter.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And yet all the while I had been flattering myself that he had been completely hoodwinked.
From The Man Without a Memory by Arthur W. (Arthur Williams) Marchmont
Already there had been flattering indications that she would be able to command attention there.
From Unleavened Bread by Robert Grant
Only last night she had been so happy in her efforts to do good, and here she was, actually as bad as any of the people she had been flattering herself she could reform.
From Hollowmell or, A Schoolgirl's Mission by E.R. Burden
It remained that Thomas Batchgrew had been flattering her.
From The Price of Love by Arnold Bennett
This took place with Horace; it put him in spirits, in train, and he fired away at Lady Castlefort, whom he had been flattering à loutrance five minutes before.
From Tales and Novels — Volume 10 by Maria Edgeworth
