as in to honey
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Enter Rutte, who knew Trump from his time as Prime Minister, and who got to work buttering up the American president.
—Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 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
Add butter and pulse in or use a fork to break butter up into pea-size pieces.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
The preview for The Muppet Show reveals special guest Sabrina Carpenter buttering up Miss Piggy backstage.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Enter Rutte, who knew Trump from his time as Prime Minister, and who got to work buttering up the American president.
—Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 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
Add butter and pulse in or use a fork to break butter up into pea-size pieces.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 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
-
Her voice, languid and honeyed, can glide over sensual R&B, bouncing reggaetón, shimmering pop or nostalgic jazz.—
Isabela Raygoza,
Billboard,
16 Oct. 2025
-
Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
Verb
-
Fraternity members congratulated each winner and posed for group photos with their full carts.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Trump made the comment during a locker-room call congratulating the men’s team on their 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Purifying shampoo, nourishing conditioner and scalp-massaging brush are also available to enhance your routine for your healthiest hair.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Part your hair in sections and dispense the product along the scalp, then massage it in for 30 to 60 seconds to help boost absorption and stimulate circulation.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
In a statement on Friday, Lamont praised Quiros’ record as commissioner and thanked him for his years of service.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Pennsylvania senators praise decision to strike Iran Democratic Senator John Fetterman took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the operation.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The war has torn up a fifth of the country, but even with scant, erratic assistance, Ukrainians must emerge from the dust, to be applauded by the West, and go it close-to-alone again.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
24 Feb. 2026
-
But Everton were applauded off the field and fans who remained at the end sang in support of their team.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While ANTM‘s past models and judges have been commended for opening up on the Netflix docuseries, many feel that Banks did not fully take responsibility for her past actions and behavior.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Andrew Black, former supervisor of the FBI’s Tucson office and the University of Hawaii police chief, commended the family’s strategy to keep the case in the news but said law enforcement should be doing more.—
Hannah Fry,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her self-portrait isn’t always flattering.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Feb. 2026
-
This $15, rich-looking set makes for an easy travel-day uniform, and this flattering two-piecer seriously channels Skims vibes.—
Annie Blackman,
InStyle,
21 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
