sweeten up
phrasal verb
sweetened up; sweetening up; sweetens up
informal
: to be very nice to (someone) in order to get something
He's been trying to sweeten his mother up so she'll lend him the car.
Examples of sweeten up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Crumbl has another New Year’s Eve deal to sweeten up the holiday.
—
Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Some root vegetables that are known to sweeten up with frost include:
Parsnips
Rutabagas
Celeriac
Potatoes are one of the few root crops that frost doesn’t improve.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
Romantic connections will sweeten up by April 30 regardless, as your amorous ruler Venus finally flutters back into your relationship sector, softening your heart to the healing magic of love.
—Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
This local bakery is the place to go for a grab-and-go meal that can easily be toted to the beach, or for a decadent dessert to sweeten up your day.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
Venus enters Sagittarius that same day, sweetening up your 10th house of authority, career and public persona.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
This pretty purple drink had a string hibiscus flavor that was sweetened up by fresh lemon juice, topped with a violet orchid.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2024
The Girl Scouts and IHOP are sweetening up the month of March.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
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Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 31 Dec. 2025
Some root vegetables that are known to sweeten up with frost include:
Parsnips
Rutabagas
Celeriac
Potatoes are one of the few root crops that frost doesn’t improve.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 2025
Romantic connections will sweeten up by April 30 regardless, as your amorous ruler Venus finally flutters back into your relationship sector, softening your heart to the healing magic of love.
—Nina Kahn, StyleCaster, 24 Mar. 2025
This local bakery is the place to go for a grab-and-go meal that can easily be toted to the beach, or for a decadent dessert to sweeten up your day.
—Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025
Venus enters Sagittarius that same day, sweetening up your 10th house of authority, career and public persona.
—Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024
This pretty purple drink had a string hibiscus flavor that was sweetened up by fresh lemon juice, topped with a violet orchid.
—Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2024
The Girl Scouts and IHOP are sweetening up the month of March.
—Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Sweeten up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sweeten%20up. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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