as in hero-worshiped
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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But after Trump congratulated the pop star on her engagement to Kansas City Chiefs football player Travis Kelce at a Cabinet meeting Vance also wished the pair well.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025 -
George Russell of Great Britain and Mercedes is congratulated by Mercedes CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain at Bahrain International Circuit on April 13, 2025 in Bahrain, Bahrain.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Reactions From Local Lawmakers While some lawmakers applauded the change, there were still criticisms.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
4 Sep. 2025
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On Chinese social media, users applauded the impressive hardware and discipline of the PLA – and drew comparisons to Trump’s military parade held in Washington in June.—
Brad Lendon,
CNN Money,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Nadler, the long-serving congressman, praised his former aide and state assemblyman Micah Lasher but stopped short of supporting him.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Many internet users have praised Morrison and her team for saving Maple's life and those of her puppies too.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In a statement, Queen Anne’s County Sheriff Gary Hofmann commended everyone involved in protecting the child.—
Julia Marnin,
Miami Herald,
13 Aug. 2025
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He is expected to take on a bigger workload following an offseason that’s been commended by his coaches and a training camp and start to the preseason that have caught the attention of the evaluators around him.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In order to get the best results, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, gently massaged in until it’s fully absorbed.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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This whole thing seems staged, planned, finagled, massaged, bamboozled, lollygagged, and all sorts of other long, silly-sounding words that may not necessarily apply to this situation.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The anklet has puffed heart charms along the piece and is held together with a lobster clasp for ensured security.—
Rachel Trujillo,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Toronto first got to Junk in the third inning as Nathan Lukes stroked a leadoff double, advanced on Ernie Clement’s flyout and came home on Springer’s RBI single.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
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On the pitch, Rory Delap had one hand on his hip while the other stroked his chin.—
Max Mathews,
New York Times,
21 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Harry Potter director Christopher Columbus doesn't seem very impressed by actor Nick Frost's transformation into Hagrid… but he is flattered.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
27 Aug. 2025
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More often than not, we're flattered and impressed when someone reaches out to us with a thoughtful message, Contois says.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
18 Aug. 2025
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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 Sep. 2025.
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