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
  • Her mother in Kearney, Francesca Gambino Brown, congratulated her on social media last week as Brown prepares for the upcoming football season.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
  • The sibling duo, locked in a hug, then headed up through the stands together as others congratulated Yamal on Spain’s win.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Videos from Xinhua show the knobby-kneed newborn resting on straw, being stroked and examined by scientists in white coats.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 July 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
  • The seats feature heating, ventilation, and massaging capabilities up front, along with eight-way power adjustment and lumbar support.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 July 2026
  • Instead, an equipment staffer lugged a bag of balls into a side training room and was allotted an hour to massage the footballs to the preferred specifications.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of massage
Verb
  • Trump did strike some notes of unity, praising the Secret Service and denouncing political violence.
    — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 25 July 2026
  • The guide praised Stubborn Seed’s commitment to sustainability.
    — Connie Ogle July 25, Miami Herald, 25 July 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • When Richard applauded one such culinary act of defiance, the man took the opportunity to shoot the king.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • For many the agency has lost its way (unless your public comments serve to restrict gopher tortoises, or applaud bear hunts or cheer for a high-speed roadway carved through conservation lands).
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026
Definition of applaud
Verb
  • In the comments, passengers were quick to commend the crew’s quick decision-making.
    — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 22 July 2026
  • But others also commended her for protecting Barron, even if that means protecting him from those close to him.
    — StyleCaster Editors, StyleCaster, 21 July 2026
Definition of commend
Verb
  • Burwell said he’s flattered by recent online praise from the likes of Ethel Cain, Flying Lotus and Kid Cudi for his score.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
  • At first, Hanania told me, he was flattered that such accomplished people were paying attention to him.
    — Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 19 July 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 31 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of butter up for Spanish Speakers

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