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
-
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
-
Follow these guidelines for storing butter properly.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Depending on the brand, kettle corn is typically made with ingredients such as corn syrup, sugar, butter, salt, canola oil, and soy lecithin (an emulsifier or texture enhancer).—
Lauren Panoff,
Verywell Health,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Even with the concerns over the Iran attack and as luxury stocks fell worldwide, retailers left Milan on an upbeat note, praising Italian creativity and craftsmanship as well as the wearability of the garments presented on and off the runways — and Prada‘s lesson in styling.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Meantime, Paxton released an ad featuring his daughter praising her father as a family man.—
March 1,
CBS News,
1 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
-
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
-
Some of that could use massaging, especially in a second act that is somewhat less secure.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
10 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
-
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
-
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 4 Mar. 2026.
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