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Cringing vs Flatter - What's the difference?

cringing | flatter |

As verbs the difference between cringing and flatter

is that cringing is while flatter is to compliment someone, often insincerely and sometimes to win favour.

As nouns the difference between cringing and flatter

is that cringing is act of one who cringes while flatter is a type of set tool used by blacksmiths.

As an adjective flatter is

(flat).

cringing

English

Verb

(head)
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • Act of one who cringes.
  • the servile bowings and cringings of courtiers

    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.