1
as in coaxing
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
attendants at the nursing home sometimes have to blarney the patients to take their medicine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in honeying
to praise too much
an eager, young assistant who blarneys the boss shamelessly
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blarneying
Verb
-
Quietly confident — In spite of all that, Waymo is confident that its vehicles won’t take too much coaxing to get used to London roads.—
Billy Perrigo,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026 -
His father, Nerijus, played basketball in Lithuania and had a helping hand in coaxing the twins’ return.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The programs are some of the biggest things he’s done for the county, Karner said, praising their impact.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Transportation and accelerated bridge construction Transportation featured prominently, with Healey again praising MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to the most rancorous applause of the night.—
Sam Drysdale,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
However, some pastors, including Louisiana minister Rodney Kennedy, are applauding the protesters' ambush.—
Alexandra Koch,
FOXNews.com,
20 Jan. 2026
-
However, the home fans were applauding Vinícius after his solo goal that made it 5-0 in the 63rd minute.—
Steve Douglas,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During that time, policemen and policewomen, Black and white, approached Officer Daniel, hugging him, shaking his hand, patting him on the back, congratulating him — demonstrating an enormous outpouring of support and admiration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Daniel Girdler got plenty of text messages this week congratulating him on his recent engagement.—
Jason Armesto,
AJC.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
On Sunday night and into Monday, BAM’s X feed spilled over with reposts commending the account for its largely correct forecasts.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Comments on both videos range from commending this brilliant idea to admitting to leaving the anchor in and patching over it.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
-
At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
But a talent for massaging egos is the most desirable strength.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This whiskey can, of course, be enjoyed without puffing on a cigar—that part of the ritual is completely optional—but it was made very intentionally by master blender Nancy Fraley and master distiller John Schrepel.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
-
Out on break, puffing on a cigarette, Dana is sucker-punched by a patient disgruntled over his wait time.—
EW Staff December 5,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Dec. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Cite this Entry
“Blarneying.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blarneying. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
