to try to please by complimentary remarks or attention.

to praise or compliment insincerely, effusively, or excessively

She flatters him by constantly praising his books.

to represent favorably; gratify by falsification

The portrait flatters her.

to show to advantage

a hairstyle that flatters the face.

to play upon the vanity or susceptibilities of; cajole, wheedle, or beguile

They flattered him into contributing heavily to the foundation.

to please or gratify by compliments or attentions

I was flattered by their invitation.

to feel satisfaction with (oneself), esp. with reference to an accomplishment, act, or occasion

He flattered himself that the dinner had gone well.

to beguile with hope; encourage prematurely, falsely, etc.

to use flattery.

verb

belittle , castigate , condemn , criticize , denounce , insult , offend , mismatch

verb

adulate , beslaver , blandish , bootlick * , brownnose * , build up * , butter up * , cajole , cater to , charm , con , court , fawn * , get next to , glorify , grovel , humor , inveigle , jolly , lay it on thick , massage , oil * , overpraise , play up to , praise , rub the right way , salve , sell , snow * , soften * , soft-soap , spread it on , stroke , suck up to , sweeten up , sweet-talk , toady * , wheedle , work on , work over , adorn , beautify , become , decorate , do something for , embellish , enrich , finish , go with * , grace , ornament , perfect , put in best light , set off , show to advantage , suit , butter up , honey , slaver , enhance , beguile , blarney , bootlick , coax , compliment , fawn , hammer , ingratiate , kowtow , lionize , panegyrize , soothe , truckle