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 These packages, which often run into thousands of dollars, attract many celebrities and corporate buyers who see the Games as a chance to butter up clients or reward top performers. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 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 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
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
  • Jolly, who’s been campaigning against divisiveness in politics, issued a statement congratulating Avila shortly after Tuesday’s announcement.
    — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
  • In the letter, written after Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Parton congratulated the artist on the honor and praised his performance that night.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.
    — Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • There’s massaging seats with 15 individual air bladders, and a heated windshield that uses a thin metallic coating to remove winter frost without having to rely on climate control.
    — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And, like Markiplier, Rice then embarks on years of hard work before the film’s release, massaging audience-specific outlets and influencers.
    — Justine Bateman, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • While many viewers praise the former child star as the beating heart of the series, her newfound success comes with heightened tabloid scrutiny, thecoverage wading into everything from her looks to her love life.
    — Julianna Bragg, CNN Money, 22 Aug. 2026
  • Mourinho stressed that actions speak louder than words, praising his squad's growing unity and dedication.
    — Tom Sanderson, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Local officials posed around the giant baby blue ceremonial check, applauding as the mayor positioned it on an easel in view of the television cameras.
    — Tamar Hallerman, AJC.com, 24 Aug. 2026
  • His return was widely applauded by fans years after he was dropped for reasons that were never publicly explained either to him or to viewers.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • Pawsitive Tails Dog Rescue posted on Facebook commending the work of volunteers who banded together to care for the dogs.
    — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Politicians in both parties are distancing themselves from an increasingly unpopular building boom faster than a sycophantic chatbot can flatter its user.
    — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Multiple reviewers have called out the backside-flattering fit and stretchy material that resists getting baggy after a full day of wear.
    — Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 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 29 Aug. 2026.

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