flattery

servile flattery and submission.

their flattery made him vain.

Flattery is not his style.

He was laying on the flattery with a trowel.

a little bit of flattery was now in order.

The film star is blase about endless flattery now.

she allowed no hint of flattery to enter her voice.

left-handed flattery; a left-handed compliment.

an investigator who develops witnesses through flattery and intimidation.

Just remember—flattery will get you nowhere. There’s no use trying to be nice to me so I’ll give you what you want.

More generally, Schumpeter seemed to be playing the role of grand seigneur, and he tended to flatter where flattery was not due, no doubt satirically.