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Cajole vs Flatter - What's the difference?

cajole | flatter |

As verbs the difference between cajole and flatter

is that cajole is to persuade someone to do something which they are reluctant to do, especially by flattery or promises; to coax while flatter is to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour.

As a noun flatter is

a type of set tool used by blacksmiths.

As an adjective flatter is

comparative of flat.

cajole

English

Verb

  • (transitive, and, intransitive) To persuade someone to do something which they are reluctant to do, especially by flattery or promises; to coax.
  • * 1722 , , Moll Flanders , ch. 12:
  • Then he cajoled with his brother, and persuaded him what service he had done him.
  • * 1820 , , The Abbot , ch. 27:
  • If you are cajoled by the cunning arguments of a trumpeter of heresy, or the praises of a puritanic old woman, is not that womanish?
  • * 1894 , , Only An Irish Boy , ch. 19:
  • He had tried bullying, and without success. He would try cajoling and temptation.
  • * 1898 , , The Battle Of The Strong , ch. 37:
  • [W]ith eloquent arts he had cajoled a young girl into a secret marriage.
  • * 1917 , , King Coal , ch. 8:
  • Schulman, general manager of the "G. F. C.," had been sending out messengers to hunt for him, and finally had got him in his office, arguing and pleading, cajoling and denouncing him by turns.
  • * 2010 August 4, Michael Scherer, " NonSTARTer? Obama's Troubled Nuclear Treaty," Time :
  • For weeks, the White House, the Pentagon and Senate Democrats have been working overtime to cajole , convince and placate Republicans.

    Synonyms

    * entice, inveigle, wheedle

    flatter

    English

    Etymology 1

    Noun

    (wikipedia flatter) (en noun)
  • A type of set tool used by blacksmiths.
  • A flat-faced fulling hammer.
  • A drawplate with a narrow, rectangular orifice, for drawing flat strips such as watch springs.
  • Someone who flattens, purposely or accidently. Also flattener.
  • (British, NZ, slang) Someone who lives in a rented flat.
  • Adjective

    (head)
  • (flat)
  • Etymology 2

    From (etyl) flatteren, . More at (l).

    Verb

    (en-verb) (transitive'' and ''intransitive )
  • to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour
  • * Bible, Proverbs xxix. 5
  • A man that flattereth his neighbour, spreadeth a net for his feet.
  • * Prescott
  • Others he flattered by asking their advice.
  • to enhance someone's vanity by praising them
  • to portray something to advantage.
  • Her portrait flatters her.
  • to convey notions of the facts that are believed to be favorable to the hearer without certainty of the truthfulness of the notions conveyed.