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
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
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
Zelensky isn’t alone among prominent Ukrainians in trying to butter up Trump.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Warming the milk and butter up first helps to avoid any milk fat white spots on top of your decadent chocolate cake.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024
Griffin isn’t the only big-name boss to try and butter up workers by putting on an unforgettable party.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Ripple’s ongoing efforts to butter up the banking and corporate world have made the company, and by extension XRP, an object of hostility and derision among the rest of the crypto world.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 24 Mar. 2023
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
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
Zelensky isn’t alone among prominent Ukrainians in trying to butter up Trump.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Warming the milk and butter up first helps to avoid any milk fat white spots on top of your decadent chocolate cake.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024
Griffin isn’t the only big-name boss to try and butter up workers by putting on an unforgettable party.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Ripple’s ongoing efforts to butter up the banking and corporate world have made the company, and by extension XRP, an object of hostility and derision among the rest of the crypto world.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 24 Mar. 2023
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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Among those congratulating Affleck on Instagram are her Mormon Wives co-stars, and fellow moms-to-be Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews.—
Sari Hitchins,
Parents,
3 July 2025
-
Keynote speaker and commanding officer Marine Corps Col. Kwabena K. Gyimah shared his personal journey as a son of parents who immigrated from Ghana and congratulated the troops.—
David J. Bohnet,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 July 2025
Verb
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In the now-viral video, Otis lies limp and unimpressed while his dad, Jake, strokes his leg with a concerned arm around him.—
Lydia Patrick,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
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These conversations showed me how easily a line of code can stroke an ego, calm anxiety, and mimic devotion.—
Cathy Hackl,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Verb
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The fast-absorbing oil can be massaged onto damp skin post-shower, or drop it into the bath for a fragrant, skin-nourishing soak.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
28 June 2025
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Standard features include heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, with the usual upgrades – but none truly groundbreaking – available.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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When Powell delivered his semiannual monetary policy report to Congress earlier this month, he was praised by some lawmakers for refusing to delve into politics by avoiding any response to Trump’s attacks.—
Bryan Mena,
CNN Money,
30 June 2025
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In the days since the video was shared online, TikTok users have praised Row's husband for being so patient.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Verb
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Tucker stepped out of the batter’s box to tip his helmet toward both a roaring crowd and the applauding Astros dugout.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Despite Democratic skepticism, nearly all Republicans have applauded Trump's decision to strike Iran.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
28 June 2025
Verb
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After a minute of pure bliss for the class, the superstar went around to each student individually and shook their hands, commending them for their efforts.—
Chris Barilla,
People.com,
26 June 2025
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Trump went on to commend most NATO members for agreeing to boost defense spending and call the summit a success for alliance unity and U.S. leadership.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Verb
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Whatever your own reaction, the open-ended nature of Serra’s approach flies in the face of what people have been conditioned to expect from today’s non-fiction cinema, much of which exists to challenge the audience for their provincialism while flattering them for their empathy.—
David Ehrlich,
IndieWire,
27 June 2025
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It's been widely regarded as one of the best films in the franchise since Lucasfilm was bought by Disney in 2012, a claim that Edwards is flattered by, but doesn't accept.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
26 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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