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buttered up

verb

past tense of butter up
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
  1. congratulated
  2. applauded
  3. praised
  4. commended
  5. massaged
  6. stroked
  7. puffed
  8. flattered
Verb
  • The veteran coach congratulated his team for the win and quickly pivoted to yelling about mental mistakes that kept Houston County in the game.
    — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Fineman, 38, congratulated the newest SNL cast members in her own Instagram post after the big reveal.
    — Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulated
Verb
  • He also was applauded by many people for his actions on the sideline.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
  • In July, the Whiteman Airport Coalition applauded Moreno for her important coverage of a brush fire.
    — Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of applauded
Verb
  • Gray praised the producers and actors who helped bring the film to life and reflected on his early dreams of being a filmmaker.
    — Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Others praised the comfortable handles, sleek look, and substantial weight.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of praised
Verb
  • But several people who spoke during the board meeting commended students who took part in the walkout and asked they not be punished for their advocacy.
    — Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Marcarelli commended his firefighters for their response to the tragic incident.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of commended
Verb
  • The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared to suffer a cramp in his left foot, threw up, and took a medical time-out to have his back massaged between the fourth and fifth sets before losing to Argentine player Mariano Navone.
    — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Top Plays from Bears @ Titans To be clear, the first version will likely be revised and massaged before the Bears arrive at their first meaningful practice of Week 1.
    — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of massaged
Verb
  • Rookie Ethan Salas stroked an RBI single in the bottom of the 10th inning Saturday night as the San Diego Padres edged the visiting Miami Marlins 7-6.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2026
  • But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of stroked
Verb
  • Essentially a giant popover, this savory Dutch baby emerges from the oven dramatically puffed, with crisp edges and a tender, eggy center.
    — Claire Saffitz, Bon Appetit Magazine, 21 Sep. 2026
  • Bake until the focaccia is set and slightly puffed and registers an internal temperature of 190°F, 18 to 22 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of puffed
Verb
  • Booking reports in dollars but earns mostly in other currencies, and a weak dollar flattered early-year headline growth by several points.
    — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Minogue should be flattered.
    — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of flattered
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.

Browse Nearby Words

butter
buttered up
butterfingered
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Cite this Entry

“Buttered up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttered%20up. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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