flatter

About 1.58 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adjective comparative form of flat: more flat
2. verb To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
3. verb To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.
4. verb To portray someone to advantage.

   Her portrait flatters her.

5. verb To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.
6. verb To cheer or please (with the idea that); congratulate oneself, especially when the perception is false.

   Before the results came out, I flattered myself that I had done well on the test. It turned out I was the worst in the class!

7. verb In phrasal verb "to flatter with": to encourage, inspire with hope.
8. noun A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.

Similar words

blandish soothe patronize eulogize laud praise compliment exalt glorify adulate

Often followed by

myself the and than themselves ourselves me himself him

Word family

flattered flatterer flatterers flattering flatters