Compliment is less exciting (7)
I believe the answer is:
flatter
'compliment' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flatter that I've seen before include "Lavish compliments on (someone)" , "resort to cajolery" , "Less hilly; show to advantage" , "comparatively monotonous" , "drier" .)