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
But there was something about the way Matthew embraced the assignment of being the Sexiest Man Alive and saw a flattering playfulness in the pop culture accolade that made hanging with him uniquely memorable.
—Elizabeth Leonard, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Forget wasteful palettes with unused pans, the universally flattering Gris Doux works for everyday or can be layered to create more intensity after dark.
—Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
The West Wing’s White House represented a sacred workplace with gleaming wood and flattering lighting that was populated with smart people trying to do good for the country.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Instead of thick cable knit, opt for a rib knit, which won’t take up as much room in your carry-on and looks flattering on most figures—especially this midi dress at Gap with its sleek side slit.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for flattering
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Elizabeth Leonard, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025
Forget wasteful palettes with unused pans, the universally flattering Gris Doux works for everyday or can be layered to create more intensity after dark.
—Ellie Davis, Vogue, 28 Oct. 2025
The West Wing’s White House represented a sacred workplace with gleaming wood and flattering lighting that was populated with smart people trying to do good for the country.
—Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
Instead of thick cable knit, opt for a rib knit, which won’t take up as much room in your carry-on and looks flattering on most figures—especially this midi dress at Gap with its sleek side slit.
—Lane Nieset, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 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 1 Nov. 2025.
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