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 Multiple reviewers have called out the backside-flattering fit and stretchy material that resists getting baggy after a full day of wear. — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026 Older ones look more like oyster shells and are broader and flatter. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 Rigor in value measurement requires a true baseline, a metric the customer agrees on (not one that flatters you), and public results with their name on it. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026 Trump was flattered into joining Benjamin Netanyahu in attacking Iran, where former presidents had the intelligence to refuse his appeals. — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 5 Aug. 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
  • Gates joined Rodrigo on stage to commend her for her philanthropic efforts with Daisy Chain Fields.
    — Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue posted on Facebook commending the work of volunteers who banded together to care for the dogs.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • West Ham have always prided themselves on being the ‘Academy of Football’, and this was that nickname turning into reality.
    — Roshane Thomas, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Parton's philanthropic ventures Parton prided herself on her philanthropic endeavors throughout her life.
    — Mason Leib, ABC News, 25 Aug. 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
  • Melvin and Dreyer took turns congratulating and embracing Ikeda shortly after the news broke.
    — Amaris Encinas, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Djokovic sent a message congratulating Federer on his inevitable induction.
    — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Head coach Willie Simmons praised his team’s athleticism and talent through fall camp, while emphasizing the X’s and O’s with the season opener approaching.
    — Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Mamdani applauded police for stopping the attack but said an internal investigation would be conducted.
    — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Whatever our party affiliation or political views, Americans should appreciate Roosevelt’s ingenuity, determination and confidence and applaud Eisenhower’s competence, planning and stewardship.
    — John T. Shaw, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 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 5 Sep. 2026.

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