as in to honey
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
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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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butter up
Verb
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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.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
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Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.—
Selene Yeager,
Health,
24 Feb. 2024
Verb
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Fiala congratulated Babis and conceded defeat.—
Reuters 3 hr ago,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
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After Swift’s engagement to NFL player Travis Kelce went public in August, local establishments such as Pursuit Spirits and Ten20 Craft Brewery congratulated the famous couple with cheeky Instagram posts.—
Amanda Hancock,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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While fans and pundits stroke their chins and ponder Arsenal’s attacking alchemy, their defensive record is perhaps taken for granted.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
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One game, especially one so dominated by the defense, certainly isn’t enough to decide whether this is even an issue, but noted QB whisperer O’Connell has to be stroking his chin.—
John Shipley,
Twin Cities,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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When your shoulders ache or feel stiff, your first instinct might be to stretch or massage them.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
2 Oct. 2025
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Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, massage the area, do gentle stretches, or place ice or heating packs in 20- to 30-minute bouts on your body.—
Andee Tagle,
NPR,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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After the game, Kidd praised guard Max Christie, who went 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.—
Christian Clark,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the judge's ruling Sunday night.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Air Line Pilots Association, the largest airline pilot’s union in the world, applauded the decision.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
3 Oct. 2025
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While many applauded the boldness of the song, others questioned why Waterboer delivered it with such intensity.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Multiple reviewers commend the sneakers for workouts, but they can also be worn outside of the gym.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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Woods commended his deputies Monday for working through the night to find Speight.—
Greg Wehner,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The fundamental truth that Madrid look a long way from finding their best, have many problems to deal with, and that recent results perhaps flattered Alonso’s side.—
Guillermo Rai,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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To put it mildly, we’re flattered.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
29 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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