The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word ADULATE
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
A
D
U
L
A
T
E
More clues leading to the result ADULATE
- Obsequiously flatter a mostly dreary goddess
- Fawn upon grown-up relative finally touring area
- A meeting about usual borders getting praise
- Flatter hulk stripping off during a tryst
- Essentially, pulp in a fruit gets flatter
- Praise responsible individual’s time in A&E
- Praise grown-up getting to grips with a charade at last
- Suck up to sleazy earl pinching geisha’s rear end
- Praise from grown-up holding a note
- Excessively praise / perversely laud / frequently and inordinately exalt
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "flatter" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case flatter = adulate.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does ADULATE mean?
ADULATE verb- To flatter effusively.