as in soft soap
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in sucking (up to)
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttering up
Noun
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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 -
Most of the questions aimed at the ironic American director of Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas were less softballs than soft soap, with reporters as interested in Scorsese’s favorite food — his mother’s lasagna recipe — as the movies in his peerless filmography.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2024
Noun
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Nuts and Nut Butters Nuts and nut butters contain a good amount of protein in small servings.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
12 May 2025
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Place bacon fat and butter in a large bowl; beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.—
Ann Taylor Pittman,
Southern Living,
12 May 2025
Noun
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From there, according to the report, the sweet talk quickly moves to messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Google Chat or Telegram.—
Sunny Nagpaul,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2024
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Just in case that gave Reba a leg up, don't let her sweet talk you.—
Meghan Overdeep,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2024
Noun
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This is how pet names become a trap — when terms of endearment shift from genuine affection to strategic tools.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
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It has been brought to the forefront by Jey, who also uses it as a greeting or term of endearment.—
Shaheem Reid,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Russian dissidents – most now either in jail or abroad – see Putin as a dictator who has built a brittle system of personal rule reliant on sycophancy and corruption that is leading Russia towards decline and turmoil.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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Carro's paper suggests that obvious sycophancy significantly reduces user trust.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Independence Police Chief Adam Dustman has announced an internal investigation into a November police shooting that killed a mother and her baby, while applauding the officer who fired the fatal bullets.—
PJ Green,
Kansas City Star,
21 Mar. 2025
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Some Jewish groups are applauding the effort.—
Jeff Zeman,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In the hours, even days, after the best Royals season in a decade, an array of flattering messages flooded the phone of manager Matt Quatraro.—
Sam McDowell,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2025
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Other Amazon shoppers are taking note, too, because the dress has an impressive 6,000 perfect ratings and 1,200 five-star reviews, with teachers and wedding guests alike sharing how comfy and flattering the dress is to wear to almost any occasion.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Mar. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Buttering up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttering%20up. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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