blandire

to flatter

verb blahn-DEE-reh Rare

Origin: Latin blandiri (to soothe, flatter)

Also means

to coax

Usage Note

Blandire implies soft, ingratiating flattery aimed at winning someone over — more calculated than simple praise. It takes avere as its auxiliary. The related adjective blando means 'mild' or 'bland', a false friend for English speakers who might expect 'flattering'.

Examples

"Il politico cercava di blandire gli elettori."

Natural Translation

The politician was trying to flatter the voters.

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