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GRE vocabulary

flatter

verbHigh-frequency wordMore F words

to praise someone excessively and often insincerely, especially to gain favor

Word origin: From Old French flater, to stroke or caress.

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In a sentence

Flatter in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing flatter in a sentence.

He flattered the director with lavish compliments hoping to land the lead role.

The courtier learned that the surest way to flatter the duke was to praise his command of languages he barely spoke.

Synonyms
Antonyms
criticizeinsultdisparagebelittle

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Verbal · Sentence Equivalence

Because the evidence linking the additive to the illness remained blank, regulators declined to issue a ban and instead called for further study.

Select the two answers that give the sentence the same meaning. 0 of 2 selected.

Usage & nuance

Using “flatter” well

Flatter implies praise that is excessive and often insincere, given to win favor, which distinguishes it from a genuine compliment. It can also mean to present something more favorably than reality, as when a portrait flatters its subject.

Common questions

Questions about “flatter”

Flatter (verb) means to praise someone excessively and often insincerely, especially to gain favor
Here is flatter used in an example sentence: "He flattered the director with lavish compliments hoping to land the lead role." Another example: "The courtier learned that the surest way to flatter the duke was to praise his command of languages he barely spoke."
Common synonyms for flatter include compliment, cajole, fawn, adulate.
Antonyms of flatter include criticize, insult, disparage, belittle.
Clusters with cajole, fawn, and adulate, while its antonyms criticize, disparage, and belittle appear as opposites. Compliment is a softer near-synonym, so the GRE may use surrounding cues like insincerely to push you toward the negative reading.
Yes. Flatter is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

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