Is praise a synonym for flattery?

Praise and flattery are not synonyms, though they can be used similarly. Here's the difference:

* Praise is sincere and genuine admiration or approval for someone's actions, qualities, or achievements. It is given with the intention of encouraging and acknowledging the person's positive attributes.

* Flattery is insincere praise, often given with the intent to gain favor or achieve something from the person being flattered. It's often exaggerated and insincere, and may focus on superficial qualities rather than genuine accomplishments.

Here's an analogy:

* Praise is like a genuine compliment given by a friend.

* Flattery is like a manipulative salesperson trying to convince you to buy something you don't need.

So, while both praise and flattery involve positive words, praise is genuine and meant to uplift, while flattery is insincere and manipulative.