flatter

verb

ˈfla-tər How to pronounce flatter (audio)
Definition of flatternext
1
as in to commend
to praise too much the billionaire has an army of assistants who are eager to flatter him at every opportunity

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to pride
to think highly of (oneself) don't flatter yourself that no one has ever thought of that idea before

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of flatter Said bows were worn undone, tapping into Waterhouse’s rock star aesthetic that is slightly disheveled but always flattering. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026 Chakeris sources her cotton from India, selecting prints that can be dressed up or down with ease, and creating pieces like pants, skirts, blouses, and more that flatter all shapes and sizes. — Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 4 Sep. 2026 Almost all of its pants are offered in petite sizes, plus there are plenty of cropped styles and silhouettes that flatter my shorter frame. — Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 3 Sep. 2026 Meanwhile, curtain bangs — often longer (sometimes past the chin) and often with a wave or curl — are universally flattering on nearly all face shapes. — Gretta Monahan, Boston Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for flatter
Recent Examples of Synonyms for flatter
  1. commend
  2. pride
  3. honey
  4. congratulate
  5. stroke
  6. praise
  7. applaud
  8. overpraise
Verb
  • Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) chimed in on the conversation, commending Doe for coming forward.
    — Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Several Israeli officials commended the bravery of those on board the plane.
    — Mitchell McCluskey, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Gherardini, the Florentine company established in 1885, prides itself on being one of Italy’s oldest leather goods brand.
    — Katie Abel, Footwear News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Stanford is a place that actually prides itself on having students from over 60 different countries in their incoming class.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of pride
Verb
  • The mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and honeyed, with a hint of marzipan.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of honey
Verb
  • Brown said a wild Knicks fan tailed him home to congratulate him on winning the Finals during a bike ride over the offseason.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • The young woman on the left strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous.
    — Anna Griffin, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Charli even stroked the bathroom hand dryer — a clever reference to everybody’s favorite scene in Desperately Seeking Susan.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • The one-minute television spot includes Poindexter’s daughters praising their father for his work ethic and dedication to their family.
    — Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Smoke’N Ash is also praised for Patrick Hicks’ brisket, pork ribs and rib tips, along with an extensive menu of desserts.
    — Bud Kennedy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Mac Haddow of the American Kratom Association has applauded the DEA’s 7-OH ban but has also blamed irresponsible consumers for any deaths caused by natural kratom use.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Bryan’s on-stage statement immediately drew a lot of negative feedback from conservative fans, although there are pockets on the right that have come out against Israel’s actions in Gaza who applauded Bryan.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.
    — Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
  • As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.
    — Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023
Definition of overpraise

Browse Nearby Words

flattens
flatter
flattered
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Cite this Entry

“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/flatter. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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