compliment

compliment: compliment n Compliment, flattery, adulation all denote praise addressed directly to a person. A compliment is a courteous expression of commendation and may be either sincere or merely formal

{
in the noble dedication ... to the Duchess of Ormond we have an example of Dryden's most polished and magnificent style in elaborate personal compliment— Gosse
}

{
pay the craftsmen the compliment of making a study of their language— Ullyett
}

Flattery implies insincerity in compliment or a play upon self-love or vanity by means of artful or obsequious praise

{
when one is flagging, a little praise (if it can be had genuine and unadulterated by flattery) ... is a cordial— Scott
}

{
it is better to leave genuine praise unspoken than to expose yourself to the suspicion offlattery— Shaw
}

Adulation adds to flattery the implications of servility or fulsomeness

{
he fascinated others into believing him a superior being; feasted his self-esteem on their adulation until it swelled to monstrous proportions— Huxley
}

Analogous words: *encomium, tribute, panegyric, eulogy: praise, lauding or laudation, extolling or extollation (see corresponding verbs at PRAISE)

Antonyms: taunt

Contrasted words: *affront, insult, indignity: depreciation, disparagement (see corresponding verbs at DECRY): criticism, censure, reprehension, reprobation, denunciation (see corresponding verbs at CRITICIZE)

compliment vb *commend, applaud, recommend

Analogous words: *praise, laud, extol, eulogize, acclaim

Contrasted words: *criticize, censure, reprehend, condemn, denounce: *decry, depreciate, disparage

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Synonyms:

Praise, commendation, encomium, laudation, good word, Praise, commend, flatter (by expressions of civility) / Formal praise, hollow commendation, empty encomium, flattering remark, ceremonious phrase or flattery, Congratulate

Look at other dictionaries:

compliment — [ kɔ̃plimɑ̃ ] n. m. • 1604; esp. complimiento, de cumplir con alguien « être poli envers qqn » 1 ♦ Paroles louangeuses que l on adresse à qqn pour le féliciter. ⇒ congratulation, félicitation. Faire compliment (vieilli), des compliments à qqn de… … Encyclopédie Universelle
compliment — COMPLIMENT. s. mas. Paroles civiles, obligeantes, pleines d affection ou de respect, selon les diverses personnes et les diverses rencontres. Compliment sincère. Compliment affectueux. Compliment de remercîment. Compliment de félicitation, de… … Dictionnaire de l'Académie Française 1798
compliment — COMPLIMENT. s. m. Paroles civiles, obligeantes, respectueuses, que l on dit à quelqu un selon les diverses rencontres Compliment de remerciment. compliment de conjoüissance, de condoleance. compliment bien froid, bien sec. un compliment ennuyeux … Dictionnaire de l'Académie française
compliment — COMPLIMÉNT, complimente, s.n. 1. Cuvânt de laudă, de măgulire, care exprimă o atitudine prietenească, de stimă, de respect sau de consideraţie. ♢ loc. adv. Fără compliment = fără exagerare, fără gândul de a măguli; pe faţă, sincer. 2. (La pl.)… … Dicționar Român
Compliment — Com pli*ment, n. [F. compliment. It complimento, fr. comlire to compliment, finish, suit, fr. L. complere to fill up. See {Complete}, and cf. {Complement}.] An expression, by word or act, of approbation, regard, confidence, civility, or… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
compliment — ► NOUN 1) an expression of praise or admiration, either in words or by an action. 2) (compliments) formal greetings. ► VERB ▪ politely congratulate or praise. ● return the compliment Cf. ↑return the compliment … English terms dictionary
Compliment — Com pli*ment, v. t. To praise, flatter, or gratify, by expressions of approbation, respect, or congratulation; to make or pay a compliment to. [1913 Webster] Monarchs should their inward soul disguise; . . . Should compliment their foes and shun… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
compliment — (n.) An act, or expression of civility, usually understood to include some hypocrisy, and to mean less than it declares [Johnson], 1570s, complement, via Fr. compliment (17c.), from It. complimento expression of respect and civility, from V.L.… … Etymology dictionary
Compliment — Com pli*ment, v. i. To pass compliments; to use conventional expressions of respect. [1913 Webster] I make the interlocutors, upon occasion, compliment with one another. Boyle. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
compliment — [n] praise, flattery acclaim, acclamation, admiration, adulation, applause, appreciation, approval, blessing, bouquet*, buttering up*, cajolery, commendation, comp, confirmation, congratulations, courtesy, encomium, endorsement, eulogy, favor,… … New thesaurus

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compliment

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