What is the meaning of the word "flatter"? Synonyms and examples

It is customary to think that flattery is bad. For example, when a person is told: "You are handsome, like a god!" In response, says: "Oh well, you scoff, flattery with me will not work!" But sometimes praise is sincere, although slightly embellishing reality. Consider today the meaning of the word "flatter". Is it always as bad as they say about it?

Meaning

The dictionary offers two meanings:

1. To make fake compliments to someone, pursuing selfish interests. For example, a subordinate picks a boss to get promotion.
2. Pleasure yourself or someone, the satisfaction of any feeling. For example, a large salary flattered self-esteem.

Apparently, flattery is not always something bad. It is insincere only when the speaker wants to coax the object of influence to make a profit.

But there are compliments from a pure heart that do not pursue the goal to curry favor. For example, when a guy says a nice girl he likes, he certainly counts on reciprocity, but at that moment he does not hold anything in his head, even the meaning of the word "flattery" does not recall. A young man is given entirely to the power of love.

Synonyms

If we understand clearly that there is flattery in itself, it is not so difficult to pick up a replacement for it. Flatter - this means:

• Embellish reality.
• To make (fake) compliments.
• To console yourself (used to say "flatter yourself with hopes").
• Deceive.
• Ugodnichat.
• Freak up.

Despite the selection of synonyms, we repeat: flattery can do good, when the distortion of reality is done in order to support a person, to tell him something pleasant. An extraneous complementary opinion about a person can flatter him, too, but this does not mean that the statement pursues a goal or is done intentionally. In other words, it is not always important to interpret the meaning of the word "flattery" negatively.

Fox - noble cheat

Of course, the textbook example is the Fox from the fable IA. Krylov's "The Crow and the Fox." How she was courting the Crow, remember? And all just so that an avid bird compliments and demonstrated her "wonderful voice," and the fox-cheat picked up the delicious cheese and left. The concert of the Crow gave already at the "empty hall". The fable shows how much any flattery costs, that is, you do not need to pay attention to compliments, especially if a person is confident that they can pursue a goal. Did Fox know the meaning of the word "flatter"? Still would! With her-that ability to manipulate!

Unfortunately, people are much more adept liars than animals. Ordinary animals are much more honest than humans. They never lie, do not cheat, they love the master, if he does not offend them. This man needs fables to understand how to actually behave. It's good to be educated and know when and how to flatter. The value of a compliment said on time is hard to overestimate. Be successful in doing good.