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
Other bottoms include the High Baggy Short and the Lightweight Carpenter Short featuring a flattering mid-rise and utility pockets for a utilitarian edge.
—Kate Donnelly, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Chicago saved face a bit thereafter, pulling two goals back to establish an only slightly more flattering 7-2 scoreline.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
This flattering duo not only elongates the legs, but also builds a vintage chic aesthetic that is irresistible to lovers of retro style with a contemporary twist.
—René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2025
The illustrations seem to have obviated the need for a court painter: now Trump has dozens if not hundreds of people to conjure flattering representations of him on social media.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattering
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Kate Donnelly, Forbes.com, 28 Apr. 2025
Chicago saved face a bit thereafter, pulling two goals back to establish an only slightly more flattering 7-2 scoreline.
—Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
This flattering duo not only elongates the legs, but also builds a vintage chic aesthetic that is irresistible to lovers of retro style with a contemporary twist.
—René Chávez Esparza, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2025
The illustrations seem to have obviated the need for a court painter: now Trump has dozens if not hundreds of people to conjure flattering representations of him on social media.
—Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattering
Cite this Entry
“Flattering.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flattering. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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