as in congratulated
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttered up
Verb
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Owens was begrudgingly congratulated by Hitler, but neither he nor the other Black medalists were ever even acknowledged by Roosevelt, who had also refused to endorse a boycott of the Games—an effort led by Black and Jewish organizations that opposed both Nazism and American segregation.
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Many celebrity friends congratulated Carlson in the comments section.
Verb
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The Federation for American Immigration Reform applauded the decision.
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After a long line of speakers alternately applauded or slammed the McLean senior living complex’s bid to build 40 more homes, the zoning board in Simsbury continued its hearing until next month.
Verb
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The coalition of groups associated with the lawsuit praised the ruling.
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Cue also praised Apple’s studio chiefs, Jamie Erlicht and Zack Van Amburg.
Verb
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In a news release announcing the arrest, Bridgeport Police Chief Roderick Porter expressed condolences to the family and commended the professionalism of the responding officers.
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Nakase commended her along with Zandalasini and Williams for maximizing their minutes in the last few weeks.
Verb
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While this is all occurring on your scalp and hair, your body is on a heated bed, and your body is getting massaged.
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Does all kale need to be massaged?
Verb
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But Argentina’s talisman stroked it wide of the net.
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Mihyia Davis stroked the next pitch off Slimp’s glove in left for a double and Williams moved to third.
Verb
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And over the years, an increase in solar activity — space weather from the sun — has puffed up Earth's atmosphere to create more drag on Swift than expected, pulling it down from its initial orbit.
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His lips puffed with each breath.
Verb
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Kim and North's nude wear flattered both mom and daughter, while the then-2-year-old's ever-expanding combat-boot collection continued to set up her siblings (and us) for intense shoe envy.
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One reader even wrote in to pitch the Sacramento Bees — and we’re certainly flattered.
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Cite this Entry
“Buttered up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttered%20up. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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