blandish

[ blan-dish ]

verb (used with object)

1. to coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole:

   They blandished the guard into letting them through the gate.

verb (used without object)

1. to use flattery or cajolery.

blandish

/ ˈblændɪʃ /

verb

1. tr to seek to persuade or influence by mild flattery; coax

Other Words From

• blandish·er noun
• blandish·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of blandish¹

1350–1400; Middle English blandisshen < Anglo-French, Middle French blandiss-, long stem of blandir < Latin blandīrī to soothe, flatter. See bland, -ish ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of blandish¹

C14: from Old French blandir from Latin blandīrī

Example Sentences

“I think that squash by itself is a little blandish, but the soup fixes it by adding more flavor to it,” he said.

From New York Times

But many of the tasters were meh on the flavor, which they called “blandish”: “I’m overly aware of the casing — it feels chewy.”

From Washington Post

At 71Above, his cooking has taken a slightly more luxurious turn — foie gras terrine, truffled steak tartare with tapenade, blandish roast chicken with foie gras, truffles and mushrooms stuffed under the skin.

From Los Angeles Times

Others see it as a blandish “Star Wars” knockoff that’s not nearly as endearing as “The Princess Bride,” which came out a year earlier.

From Los Angeles Times

If Cambodia has a famous dish it’s probably amok, which usually takes the form of a blandish coconut-curry steamed custard similar to Thailand’s hawmawk.

From New York Times