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.

noun

apple polisher * , backscratcher , booster , bootlicker , brownnose * , cajoler , charmer , fawner , flunkey , lackey , puffer , sweet talker , sycophant , teacher’s pet , toady , yes-person * , adulator , courtier , apple-polisher , blandisher , eulogist , flunky , jenkins , lickspittle , panegyrist , pickthank , wheedler