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
  • An emotional moment was then shown between the three of them, as well as players coming up to congratulate him afterwards.
    — Hunter DeLauder, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • But instead of congratulating their long-time colleague, her co-workers, under the orders of their department head, urged her to think again.
    — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 16 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
  • For mild nausea, massage a few drops of diluted peppermint oil directly on the stomach.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Use your fingertips to gently massage the cleanser into your skin.
    — Sherri Gordon, HEALTH, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Guest judge Willy Chavarria praises how Jeffrey’s outfit moved (my favorite thing about it), but the strength of Naheim’s tromp l’oeil effect snags him the win, immunity for the next challenge, and $20,000 from Viva.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Aug. 2026
  • The play of both lines was pleasing to Harbaugh, who praised the performances of young defensive linemen TeRah Edwards and Jacobian Guillory.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • That was because the player being replaced — match-winner Will Lankshear — took more than 10 seconds to depart while applauding the supporters.
    — George Edwards, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Republican Terrell County Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland applauded Commissioner Scott’s decision to halt construction.
    — Laura Romero, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • Maynard also commends the company for its presentation of the result, in light of AI’s tendency to copy humans’ mathematical results and present them as its own ideas.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Indiana Department of Homeland Security Executive Director Jonathan Whitham commended Northwest Indiana’s communities for their response to Tuesday’s storms.
    — Maya Wilkins, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Featuring romantic bell sleeves, an elegant boat neckline, and an adjustable back cinch detail, this figure-forming top looks flattering on just about everyone.
    — Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Older ones look more like oyster shells and are broader and flatter.
    — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 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 20 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of butter up for Spanish Speakers

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