flatterer
One who fawns
A flatterer is someone who gives excessive or insincere praise, typically to gain favor or advantage.
The word carries negative connotations—a flatterer isn't genuinely complimentary but strategic: Beware of flatterers who tell you only what you want to hear.
Unlike someone who simply gives compliments, a flatterer has an agenda.
Obsequious flatterer seeking favor
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
- grovelerOne who abases themselves
lickspittle · suck-up · brownnoser · apple-polisher · crawler · minion · lackey · hanger-on
Excessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- smarmyInsincerely ingratiating
servile · groveling · ingratiating · oleaginous · fulsome · adulatory · blandishing · honey-tongued
Royal household attendant
- smooth-talkerPersuasive, flattering speaker
- charmerOne who captivates others
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
- suitorOne who seeks affection
wooer · romancer · swain · courter · admirer · sweet-talker · wordsmith · eulogizer
Crafty, deceitful planner
- deceiverOne who tricks others
- conniverOne who schemes secretly
- exploiterOne who uses unfairly
- opportunistOne exploiting circumstances
dissembler · wheedler · cajoler · coaxer · ingratiator · beguiler · con-artist · double-dealer
One who delivers tribute
- panegyristOne who praises elaborately
- extollerOne who praises highly
- cheerleaderTeam spirit performer
- boosterSomething that increases strength
supporter · advocate · encourager · admirer · complimenter · praiser · endorser · promoter
toady
Obsequious flatterer seeking favor
- bootlickerServile flatterer of superiors
- yes-manUncritical agreeable subordinate
- fawnerOne who flatters servilely
groveler · lickspittle · suck-up · brownnoser · apple-polisher · crawler · minion · lackey · hanger-on · flunky
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
smarmy · servile · groveling · ingratiating · oleaginous · fulsome · adulatory · blandishing · honey-tongued · mealy-mouthed
courtier
Royal household attendant
- smooth-talkerPersuasive, flattering speaker
- charmerOne who captivates others
- gallantCourageously attentive and refined
suitor · wooer · romancer · swain · courter · admirer · sweet-talker · wordsmith · eulogizer
schemer
Crafty, deceitful planner
opportunist · dissembler · wheedler · cajoler · coaxer · ingratiator · beguiler · con-artist · double-dealer
eulogist
One who delivers tribute
- panegyristOne who praises elaborately
- extollerOne who praises highly
- cheerleaderTeam spirit performer
booster · supporter · advocate · encourager · admirer · complimenter · praiser · endorser · promoter
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- persuaderspersuader, orator, orators, public speaker, speechmaker
- smooth talkerssmooth talker, smooth-talker, sweet talker, sweet-talker, fast talker
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
- teacher's petsapple polisher, brown noser, suck up, favorite, teacher's pets
- hangers-onhanger-on, tagalong, leech, parasite, freeloader
flatterercritic
One who judges merit
detractor · disparager · denigrator · knocker · belittler
flattereropponent
One who contends against
adversary · antagonist · challenger · whistleblower · gadfly
- flatter oneselfHold inflated self-opinion
flatter, flattery, flattering, flattered, unflattering, flatters, flatterers, flatteringly, self-flattery