flattered; flattering; flatters
1
: to praise excessively especially from motives of self-interest
He flattered her with comments about how well she'd done.
2
archaic
: beguile sense 2
3
a
: to encourage or gratify by showing respect or admiration
They flattered me by asking me to speak.
b
: to congratulate (oneself) with respect to something
I flatter myself that my interpretation is correct.
4
a
: to portray too favorably
The portrait flatters him.
b
: to display to advantage
Candlelight often flatters the face.
: to use flattery
Examples of flatter in a Sentence
Verb
He flattered her with comments about her youthful appearance.
It flattered her to be asked to sing at their wedding.
That dress really flatters your figure.
Recent Examples on the Web
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Its silhoutte is relaxed but still makes sure to flatter your bum.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2026
Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
When compared to other free-hanging wilderness shelters, there are lighter hammock systems out there, but unlike the typical two-point setup of a hammock, each Tentstile tent uses a triangular three-strap setup to create a flatter, stabler floor.
—New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatter
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Verb
The present profit forecasts are being flattered by surging estimates for semiconductor and energy companies without yet reflecting any frictional effects of the massive jump in energy, chemical and shipping costs, nor the unhelpful rise in Treasury yields toward the top of their one-year range.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
Its silhoutte is relaxed but still makes sure to flatter your bum.
—Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2026
Noun
Its launch of ChatGPT-5 in August was a disaster, as the new model had a flatter, more terse personality, as well as an alarming inability to answer basic questions.
—Allison Morrow, CNN Money, 26 Mar. 2026
When compared to other free-hanging wilderness shelters, there are lighter hammock systems out there, but unlike the typical two-point setup of a hammock, each Tentstile tent uses a triangular three-strap setup to create a flatter, stabler floor.
—New Atlas, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flatter
Cite this Entry
“Flatter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flatter. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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