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
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Zelensky isn’t alone among prominent Ukrainians in trying to butter up Trump.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Warming the milk and butter up first helps to avoid any milk fat white spots on top of your decadent chocolate cake.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024
Griffin isn’t the only big-name boss to try and butter up workers by putting on an unforgettable party.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Ripple’s ongoing efforts to butter up the banking and corporate world have made the company, and by extension XRP, an object of hostility and derision among the rest of the crypto world.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 24 Mar. 2023
At the center: six cinnamon rolls that a candidate alleged had been used to butter up voters during the tight mayoral race in October.
—María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023
Steele storms out, but Sarah stays behind to butter up the AG.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2022
Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Zelensky isn’t alone among prominent Ukrainians in trying to butter up Trump.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Warming the milk and butter up first helps to avoid any milk fat white spots on top of your decadent chocolate cake.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024
Griffin isn’t the only big-name boss to try and butter up workers by putting on an unforgettable party.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Ripple’s ongoing efforts to butter up the banking and corporate world have made the company, and by extension XRP, an object of hostility and derision among the rest of the crypto world.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 24 Mar. 2023
At the center: six cinnamon rolls that a candidate alleged had been used to butter up voters during the tight mayoral race in October.
—María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023
Steele storms out, but Sarah stays behind to butter up the AG.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butter up
Verb
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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
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Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.—
Selene Yeager,
Health,
24 Feb. 2024
Verb
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By the end of the production, Benson gave the cast a standing ovation and became emotional, congratulating the crew through tears.—
Jessica Wang,
EW.com,
19 May 2025
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The Redditor said that her mother-in-law started tearing up and her boss stood up to congratulate them.—
Sabrina Weiss,
People.com,
19 May 2025
Verb
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Interacting with a pet, such as stroking them, can ease the mind and boost the sense of tranquility.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 May 2025
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His purpose is solely to stroke his outsized, narcissistic ego to compete with other authoritarian countries such as Russia and North Korea.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 May 2025
Verb
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But can putting castor oil in the belly button and massaging the area help with digestive issues as well?—
Justin Laube,
EverydayHealth.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Spend 30 to 60 seconds rolling or massaging each region in and around the hips — glutes, outer thighs, inner thighs, quads (front, top of leg) and hamstrings (back, top of leg) — before stretching or mobility exercises.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
25 Apr. 2025
Verb
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At the May 13 Village Board meeting, the first meeting since Buchanan resigned, current board members who served with Buchanan praised her.—
Bob Skolnik,
Chicago Tribune,
15 May 2025
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Health advocates praised the new limits, which would require water utilities to reduce PFAS to the lowest level they can be reliably measured.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
15 May 2025
Verb
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After the change was announced, Horne applauded the decision.—
Sam Gillette,
People.com,
23 May 2025
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Some members of the nuclear industry applauded the reform.—
Geoff Brumfiel,
NPR,
23 May 2025
Verb
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Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Tony Botti commended Slaton’s resilience and survival skills, saying this is the longest stretch of time he’s seen someone go missing and come out alive.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2025
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The result was Shelton's album which dropped on Friday, May 9. Fallon, 50, commended Malone's range of being able to sing across genres, and Shelton said that Malone should stick with country.—
Marina Watts,
People.com,
14 May 2025
Verb
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Anything can happen in knock-out football but this River Plate team has flattered to deceive too often in recent times.—
Joseph O'Sullivan,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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The relaxed fit option is available in all sizes in the bright pink passionate colorway, and like the original Define, features a high neck for wind protection (or the airplane air conditioning), thumb holes, zipper pockets, and contouring boning that flatters all body types.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 28 May. 2025.
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