Keystone English 10 Vocabulary List #9 –

Flattery Words

Adulation (noun)

Definition: excessive praise; flattery – almost to the point of worship

Context Sentence: The adulation that his former players gave to Joe Paterno showed an amazing level of respect and appreciation for the legendary coach.

Blandishment (noun)

Definition: a word or deed of mild flattery; allurement or enticement.

Context Sentence: Gerald tried valiantly to win Stephanie’s affection with flowers, chocolates, and other romantic blandishments.

Cajole (verb)

Definition: to persuade with pleasant words; coax

Context Sentence: My sister, ever the persuasive sweet-talker, cajoled our father into raising her weekly allowance.

Cajolery (noun)

Definition: persuasion by flattery; coaxing

Context Sentence: Effectively using cajolery to convince my mother to make a purchase, the savvy saleswoman at the dress store told my mother she looked stunning in the dress she was trying on.

Curry Favor (verb phrase)

Definition: seek to gain favor by flattery

Context Sentence: The new employee tried to curry favor with his new co-workers by bringing them donuts his first day on the job.

Fulsome (adjective)

Definition: offensive because of insincerity; repulsive, disgusting (typically used to describe comments or speech)

Context Sentence: Tanya was repulsed by the fulsome compliments of her admirer who always seemed to be staring at her lasciviously.

Ingratiate (verb)

Definition: work oneself into favor

Context Sentence: Raising her hand enthusiastically to answer every single question, Ramona tried to ingratiate herself with the new math teacher.

Lackey (noun)

Definition: a follower who carries out another’s wishes like a servant.

Context Sentence: If the queen needed something unpleasant to be done, she would just get one of her many lackeys to do the nasty job for her.

Obsequious (adjective)

Definition: showing excessive willingness to serve; subservient, fawning.

Context Sentence: The two obsequious employees who were competing for a promotion were noticeably more polite and obedient when the boss was around.

Truckle (verb)

Definition: to submit oneself in a subservient manner to a superior; make a doormat of oneself.

Context Sentence: It pains me to see

some students truckling to other students in order

to gain acceptance or popularity.

Sycophant (noun)

Definition: A parasitic flatterer; one who truckles

Context Sentence: Many celebrities surround themselves with entourages of obsequious sycophants who constantly flatter and build up their egos.