Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

sweet-talk

verb
Save Word
\ ˈswēt-ˌtȯk How to pronounce sweet-talk (audio) \
sweet-talked; sweet-talking; sweet-talks

Definition of sweet-talk

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: cajole, coax

intransitive verb

: to use flattery

sweet talk

noun

Definition of sweet talk (Entry 2 of 2)

: flattery
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about sweet-talk

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of sweet-talk in a Sentence

Noun enough of this sweet talk—just give me your honest opinion of my performance
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Virginia tried to sweet talk West Virginia into getting back together, but West Virginia held strong. — Longreads, "In Pocahontas County, Deep Divisions and a Gruesome Discovery," 22 Jan. 2020 For all the sweet talk with EU officials, the U.S. administration and Sondland are happy to rip deep into the EU when necessary. — Washington Post, "Sondland’s style created tension in EU before impeachment," 19 Nov. 2019 Mexican side Chivas are looking to sweet talk their way into signing West Ham striker Javier Hernández, with their manager and president talking up the move. — SI.com, "Transfer Rumours: Napoli Eye Llorente, Ghezzal to Leave Leicester, Juve Make Demiral Decision & More," 29 Aug. 2019 President Trump isn't known for his sweet talk -- but his sweet toss is now world-famous. — Adam Shaw, Fox News, "Trump reportedly tossed Starburst at Merkel during G-7 summit: 'Don't say I never give you anything'," 22 June 2018 UConn needs help and has issues that sweet talking can’t solve. — Mike Anthony, courant.com, "Mike Anthony: UConn Road Show One Piece In Complicated And Challenging Financial Puzzle," 7 June 2018 Normandy’s sweet talk follows similar moves by Paris and other European capitals to lure banking giants based in London’s financial district. — Elena Berton, USA TODAY, "Normandy wants to lure 'hot entrepreneurs' worried about Brexit," 24 Apr. 2018 What confuses matters is all this sweet talk, followed by the vanishing act. — Gabrielle Ulubay, New York Times, "For Best Hookup Results, Use Your Words, O.K.?," 12 Jan. 2018 Our nurturing aspect helps to basically sweet talk [offenders] into the back of our cars and into handcuffs. — Caitlin Doornbos, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Local female public safety leaders want more women in police, fire jobs," 26 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sweet-talk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of sweet-talk

Verb

1928, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

1901, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about sweet-talk

Time Traveler for sweet-talk

Time Traveler

The first known use of sweet-talk was in 1901

See more words from the same year

Statistics for sweet-talk

Cite this Entry

“Sweet-talk.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweet-talk. Accessed 28 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for sweet-talk

sweet-talk

verb
How to pronounce sweet talk (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of sweet-talk

: to say nice things to (someone) in order to persuade that person to do something

See the full definition for sweet-talk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

More from Merriam-Webster on sweet-talk

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sweet-talk

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with sweet-talk

Comments on sweet-talk

What made you want to look up sweet-talk? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

diligent

Listen to the pronounciation of diligent

showing steady, earnest care and effort

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

January 2020 Words of the Day Quiz

  • image1642096650
  • Which is a synonym of bonhomie?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Add Diction

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games