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 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
  • Pezeshkian congratulated Khalil al-Hayya on his election as head of the group’s political bureau and told him Iran would continue supporting the Palestinian cause, according to a Hamas statement posted in Arabic, and reviewed by Fox News Digital.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The text is a reference to the song’s lyrics, which see Bad Bunny congratulating and thanking his parents for giving birth to him.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 31 July 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
  • Nike is back adding tech to your footwear with its new massaging slide.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 31 July 2026
  • The peaceful massaging relaxation of these luxurious tubs can be a dream for many.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 29 July 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Their videos work as a modern take on the narcocorridos – ballads about the trafficking underworld that drug kingpins used to praise themselves and communicate with each other, said security expert Alexei Chévez.
    — Rey Rodríguez, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The state Korean Central News Agency on Wednesday also praised samgyetang, a chicken soup stuffed with ginseng, glutinous rice and jujubes, reporting that Pyongyang restaurants were attracting customers seeking relief from the heat.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • But the fact that this super team from LA added another not-so-secret weapon in its bid for a three-peat was not universally applauded by baseball fans.
    — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026
  • And in this economy, any fresh opportunity is cause for celebration, so take a moment to applaud yourself.
    — Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • Stern and his team commended how Pastore acted in his final scene on the show.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In all, the review from animal welfare consulting firm Team Shelter USA commends the department’s medical and surgical care, low euthanasia rates, foster program and enrichment facilities for animals at the Carlsbad shelter.
    — Lucas Robinson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Older ones look more like oyster shells and are broader and flatter.
    — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Rigor in value measurement requires a true baseline, a metric the customer agrees on (not one that flatters you), and public results with their name on it.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 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 8 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of butter up for Spanish Speakers

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