flatterest

Verb

flatter (third-person singular simple present flatters, present participle flattering, simple past and past participle flattered)

1. (ambitransitive) To compliment someone, often (but not necessarily) insincerely and sometimes to win favour.
   • A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Proverbs 29:5

   Synonyms:

   butter up, lay it on thick, puff

2. (ambitransitive) To enhance or gratify someone's vanity by praising them.

   Synonyms:

   stroke someone's ego

3. (ambitransitive) To portray someone to advantage.
   • Her portrait flatters her.
4. (ambitransitive) To encourage or cheer someone with (usually false) hope.
   • […] I went up, and sat there two Hours and an half before I cou’d discern any Thing like Land; and when I first saw it I told my Comrade, but not being certain I wou’d not call out; for the Case was of such Importance, that they were not to be trifled with, or flatter’d into vain Hopes.1743, Robert Drury, The Pleasant, and Surprizing Adventures of Mr. Robert Drury, during his Fifteen Years Captivity on the Island of Madagascar, London, page 9
5. (ambitransitive, reflexive, usually) 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!
   1. (ambitransitive, intransitive, obsolete, reflexive, usually) In phrasal verb "to flatter with": to encourage, inspire with hope.
      • Run after that ſame peeuiſh Meſſenger / The Countes man: he left this Ring behinde him / Would I, or not: tell him, Ile none of it. / Deſire him not to flatter with his Lord, / Nor hold him vp with hopes, I am not for him:c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...

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