compliment

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

His positional awareness has also earned praise although his work-rate and desire to cover as much ground as possible mean he often tires himself out - a potential backhanded compliment.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

"What needs to happen is to inject the AI smartness at the right moment in the process, so that you compliment the efficiency of AI with the judgement and human touch of people," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 18, 2026

It’s the singer’s most sonically cohesive set, but this time that’s not necessarily a compliment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026

White: Yeah, it’s a compliment, but it’s mean.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

“You mathematician! I wish you could at least pay a compliment without arithmetic! Eight from nineteen is eleven. Twice as pretty every year...Goodness, I’m twenty-two times as pretty!”

From "Carry On, Mr. Bowditch" by Jean Lee Latham