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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Assemblymember Rhodesia Ransom, D-Tracy, who is the chair of the Assembly Emergency Management Committee congratulated Thomas Jacobs in a Tuesday statement.—
William Melhado,
Sacbee.com,
3 Mar. 2026 -
Fraternity members congratulated each winner and posed for group photos with their full carts.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The audience whooped and applauded.—
Ian James,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
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In the front row, Paul McCartney — former Beatle, eternal rock star, proud father — applauded.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Austin Mayor Kirk Watson praised the fast response by police and rescuers.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
2 Mar. 2026
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Abel praised several of Berkshire’s companies like Geico and Precision Castparts, but said that BNSF needs to improve significantly because its profits lag behind other railroads and its utilities need to deal with the risks associated with wildfire liabilities.—
Josh Funk,
Fortune,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Super Men, the inside story of the 2015 Carolina Panthers, earned national recognition in the projects category and was commended for excellence in video.—
Charlotte Observer staff report,
Charlotte Observer,
27 Feb. 2026
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Miller concurred and commended Superintendent David Buck on his communication with board members in the lead-up to the protests.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Korean scalp treatments often come in lightweight, fast-absorbing liquids, essences, or refreshing tonics designed to be massaged directly into the scalp without leaving hair greasy or weighed down.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
24 Feb. 2026
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Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.—
Beatrice Zocchi,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Top-wise, besides corsetry, retailers will no doubt zero in on silhouettes that float and drape on the body, with Isabella-esque puffed sleeves or Cathy-leaning off-the-shoulder necklines.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
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Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until slightly puffed and cracked, 11–15 minutes.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The color flattered her olive skin and dark hair and eyes.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
2 Mar. 2026
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That job turned out to involve flying around the world in high style—often to places run by oligarchs, dictators, and fellow royals, on the basis that they would be flattered to deal with a prince.—
Helen Lewis,
The Atlantic,
19 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Buttered up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttered%20up. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.
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