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
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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.
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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.
Verb
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The State Department on Tuesday congratulated conservative candidate Keiko Fujimori after she was declared the winner of Peru’s presidential runoff election by a razor-thin margin.
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In 2010, on Respect for the Aged Day, Japanese officials sought out a Tokyo man named Sogen Kato to congratulate him on living to a hundred and eleven.
Verb
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Medina cuts the ball back, Almada dummies it intelligently and, when the ball reaches him, Messi has enough space to stroke a first-time shot into the net.
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But Argentina’s talisman stroked it wide of the net.
Verb
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Begin by massaging skin with a hydrating moisturizer and primer.
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Deirdre massaged my limbs while the cups went to work on my perpetually achy upper back.
Verb
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Leaders from India’s ruling Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have publicly praised bhajan clubbing gatherings.
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Magazine, praising Swift's ability to handle intense public scrutiny.
Verb
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As Guo left the courtroom after the sentencing, supporters applauded and shouted toward him.
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Comedian and political satirist Bill Maher, center left, applauds for John Mellencamp during the 27th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor Celebrating Bill Maher.
Verb
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Miss Manners commends it as better than the usual aggressive-aggressive behavior — and more effective.
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Donning a loud orange and curly wig, Tel commended KC for its hospitality as a host city.
Verb
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Major tech companies, including Block, Amazon, and Google, are drastically cutting middle management, often citing AI and a shift to flatter organizational structures.
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Marcus Rashford was quite wasteful against Panama and Bukayo Saka still doesn’t look fit enough after injury, while Noni Madueke has flattered to deceive.
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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