flattering
adjective
flat·ter·ing
ˈfla-tər-iŋ 
1
: marked by flattery: such as
a
: showing or expressing gratifying respect or admiration
a flattering comparison
His colleagues might have disowned him, but they didn't receive flattering invitations to speak all over the country and to write for The New York Times.—
Richard Dawkins
Richard Dawkins
b
: excessively or insincerely complimentary
… a steady stream of ham actors, all of whom were welcomed with flattering speeches.—H. L. Mencken
H. L. Mencken2
: helping to enhance attractiveness
a necktie in a flattering color
… dictating the most flattering camera angles.—David Margolick
David MargolickThe gowns were indeed smashing: smart, sexy, eye-catching, and very, very flattering.—The New Yorker
The New Yorker
flatteringly
adverb
The so-called Generation X has been described by some—not flatteringly—as a scavenger culture that gathers music, art and fashions from recent past generations rather than creating its own.
—Steve Hochman
Steve Hochman
Her upper body is all besuited business—the black jacket, the white blouse reflecting flatteringly on the face, the understated silver choker and earrings, the burnished brown bob.
—Rebecca Mead
Rebecca Mead
Examples of flattering in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Made from fine-rib Supima cotton, the shirt is super stretchy and flattering, complete with a scoop neck that leaves space for a necklace stack.
—Annie Blackman, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
The weightless, soft material is undeniably comfortable, and the high-rise waistband is flattering, especially for its sculpting fabric.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
In combination with the waist-cinching belt, the lapel collar balances your figure for a flattering fit and stately appearance that can take you from work to the weekend.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Briceno says that the teeth test is an easy way to determine if a shade will be flattering.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattering
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Annie Blackman, InStyle, 5 Feb. 2026
The weightless, soft material is undeniably comfortable, and the high-rise waistband is flattering, especially for its sculpting fabric.
—Melony Forcier, Travel + Leisure, 4 Feb. 2026
In combination with the waist-cinching belt, the lapel collar balances your figure for a flattering fit and stately appearance that can take you from work to the weekend.
—Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Briceno says that the teeth test is an easy way to determine if a shade will be flattering.
—Grace McCarty, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for flattering
Cite this Entry
“Flattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattering. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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