Honey-tongued

Honey-tongued describes someone who speaks in a flattering, persuasive, and often insincere manner. They use sweet, charming, and deceptive language to win favor, manipulate others, or achieve their own goals. Their words can sound enticing and alluring, much like the taste of honey, but the underlying intent may be self-serving or even malicious. The term implies a level of artifice and a deliberate attempt to charm through skillful speech, often masking a lack of genuine feeling or trustworthiness. The focus is on the speaker's vocal delivery and the carefully chosen words designed to appeal to the listener's emotions or vanity.

Honey-tongued meaning with examples

• The honey-tongued salesman charmed his way into a large contract, using flowery language and lavish praise to convince the hesitant client to sign on the dotted line. His promises proved hollow when the service failed to meet expectations, leaving the customer feeling duped.
• Despite the honey-tongued rhetoric, the politician's policies were inconsistent with his public statements. He spoke eloquently of equality, but his actions often favored the wealthy elite, revealing a disconnect between his words and deeds.
• The honey-tongued suitor showered the young woman with compliments and gifts, carefully crafting a facade of adoration. However, his true motives were revealed when he demanded something in return, exposing his manipulative nature.
• The honey-tongued negotiator skillfully employed flattery and appeals to shared interests to sway the opposition. While seemingly cooperative, he skillfully steered the conversation towards his own agenda, achieving a favorable outcome.
• Her honey-tongued apology, filled with elaborate excuses and self-pity, failed to appease the wronged party. The listener recognized the practiced performance and the lack of genuine remorse behind the sugary words.