as in soft soap
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as in sucking (up to)
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
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Recent Examples of buttering up
Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
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 buttering up
Noun
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Practical self-care items such as thick lotions, face masks and soft soaps that don’t irritate skin. Pragmatic.—
Ellen T. Meiser,
The Conversation,
5 Dec. 2025
-
People should wash any skin that comes into contact with the slurry with water and soft soap, before using a hand cream to avoid dryness and cracking.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
2 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Most recipes online call for a stand mixer, relying on the paddle attachment to fully break down the butter.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Human studies cited in that review found that meals rich in olive oil produced higher post-meal GLP-1 responses than butter-rich meals, suggesting unsaturated fats, such as olive oil, may stimulate the hormone more effectively than saturated fats.—
Deirdre Bardolf,
FOXNews.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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These tips can help parents find the right approach to praising a child's efforts and accomplishments.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Iranian state television, after airing his speech, immediately went back to praising the country’s ongoing attacks across the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Watch an encounter full of sweet talk, gaslighting and tension here.—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Don’t fall for compliments that don’t feel genuine, and don’t be afraid to confront whatever’s beneath someone’s sweet talk.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Purifying shampoo, nourishing conditioner and scalp-massaging brush are also available to enhance your routine for your healthiest hair.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Before shampooing, apply this lightweight gel-cream formula to wet hair in sections before adding water and massaging thoroughly—this way, your actual shampoo can perform better and cleanse more effectively.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to Gaiani, drinking or using drugs before social situations is a major sign that your teen may be using alcohol to cope with fawning and to feel more comfortable or confident.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Trump previously endorsed the Hungarian politician in 2020, commending Orbán’s restrictive immigration policies and dedication to job creation.—
Sarah Davis,
The Hill,
13 Feb. 2026
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That was the closest the 2026 DGA speeches came to being political outside of union support, with directors Coogler and Safdie both commending the insurance the guild provides (particularly as each director has a child that is currently sick).—
Marcus Jones,
IndieWire,
8 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Their friendship has even inspired fans to coin their names as a term of endearment.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Certainly, with $313 million being handed out to small screen applicants on November 20, Newsom’s more than doubling of California’s film and TV tax incentive program to $750 million annually earlier this year has deepened the endearment to him in the Hollywood C-suites and among the Guilds.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttering up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttering%20up. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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