butter up

verb

Definition of butter upnext
as in to honey
to praise too much a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of butter up 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 After being buttered up, the AI or the evildoer lures them into the evil intricacies. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images 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 See All Example Sentences for butter up
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butter up
  1. honey
  2. congratulate
  3. stroke
  4. massage
  5. praise
  6. applaud
  7. commend
  8. flatter
Verb
  • The mouthfeel is thick, chewy, and honeyed, with a hint of marzipan.
    — Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.
    — Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
Definition of honey
Verb
  • Leaders from across Latin America largely congratulated Lula's historic win.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, and the the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta—both from center-right parties—congratulated Lula and declared the election valid.
    — Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • White stroked a 3-pointer and waved his arms over his head to the crowd.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The young woman on the left strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous.
    — Anna Griffin, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • Less muscle on the left leg might benefit from an extra TRX session, limited shoulder mobility could take a traditional lomi 'a’e massage.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Luzon layered her signature 24-karat gold mask over a professional-use DNA mask, massaging the treatment to enhance absorption.
    — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Supporters, including Catholic and Orthodox Jewish school advocates and Democrats for Education Reform, praised the move.
    — Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Global Reach, an advocacy group that works to free Americans detained abroad and currently represents five Americans held in Russia, praised the release but called for the other prisoners to come home as well.
    — Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • The fifth-round pick of the 2024 draft — applauded for his versatility this offseason and who made several plays in the preseason, including an interception — played exactly one defensive snap against the Bucs.
    — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Roan performed alongside pop stars such as Lola Young and Tinashe to applaud Midwest Princess Project’s success.
    — Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • Two Democratic political organizations are running adverts on the House’s bill to ban congressional stock trading, criticizing a Republican over the vote while commending a Democrat running in a different district for supporting the bill.
    — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Related Articles The runway appearance of both Hosk and Palvin has set the internet aflame, with awed viewers commending the new moms and calling attention to the indelible power of women.
    — Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • The network’s coverage has also not been unilaterally flattering to Israel.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The star was spotted out in New York City wearing a–wait for it–Canadian Tuxedo that included medium-wash wide-leg jeans with a butt-flattering fit.
    — Eva Thomas, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of flatter

Browse Nearby Words

butters up
butter up
buttery
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Cite this Entry

“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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