as in to honey
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
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Recent Examples of butter up
As the lots rolled by, Mosoff watched quietly, still fortified by the exclusive tasting laid on to butter up bidders prior to the action.
—
Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026
Ben spends the afternoon buttering up Ellie and praising her cake-icing skills, and even gives her the task of decorating the wedding cake.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Anderson, currently a free agent, could be buttering up the Commanders to get a contract offer, but there is some truth to his statement.
—Victor Williams, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The preview for The Muppet Show reveals special guest Sabrina Carpenter buttering up Miss Piggy backstage.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026
Ben spends the afternoon buttering up Ellie and praising her cake-icing skills, and even gives her the task of decorating the wedding cake.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 31 Mar. 2026
Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Anderson, currently a free agent, could be buttering up the Commanders to get a contract offer, but there is some truth to his statement.
—Victor Williams, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
The preview for The Muppet Show reveals special guest Sabrina Carpenter buttering up Miss Piggy backstage.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butter up
Verb
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Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
Verb
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Hurts did not change his description of their relationship when asked about it in his first news conference of the offseason and congratulated Brown on his wedding.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
1 June 2026
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In a brief speech after Qualls earned the endorsement, Demuth did not congratulate him.—
Jimmy Lovrien,
Twin Cities,
31 May 2026
Verb
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Mihyia Davis stroked the next pitch off Slimp’s glove in left for a double and Williams moved to third.—
Tim Willert,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
After a popout to second by first baseman Jordan Woolery, shortstop Aleena Garcia stroked an RBI single to give the Bruins a 2-1 lead.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 May 2026
Verb
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While this is all occurring on your scalp and hair, your body is on a heated bed, and your body is getting massaged.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
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Because of Malkin’s age, the one-year deal could include bonuses, which would help massage the AAV.—
Pierre LeBrun,
New York Times,
26 May 2026
Verb
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Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz urged residents to remain united in the aftermath of the shooting, while praising first responders for their response to the incident.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2026
-
Antonelli praised Mercedes for improving the car's setup after Ferrari led both Friday practice sessions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Jennifer Levi of the LGBTQ+ rights group GLAD Law, who represents the plaintiffs, applauded the decision.—
Cybele Mayes-Osterman,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
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In a joint statement, Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson and City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert applauded the organization.—
S.E. Jenkins,
CBS News,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Western, for his part, had by this time recovered something of his usual bluster, and began again upon the subject of Blifil, commending his estate and his family with great earnestness, as though these considerations alone ought to have settled the matter long since.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
2 June 2026
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Kennedy then mentioned her daughter and became emotional while commending her work.—
Marina Watts,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
Verb
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Moreover, the turmoil has become a top news story in itself, with competing narratives flying — none of them flattering to CBS News.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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The empire waist is flattering, while the adjustable straps make this one easy to customize.—
Cassie Gill,
Travel + Leisure,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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