as in to flatter
to praise too much
a candidate who knows that you have to massage the voters if you want to get elected
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of massage
The cabin, meanwhile, retains its excellent 18-way massaging sport seats that are adjustable, heated, and ventilated.
—
Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2025
Simply massage this lightweight formula into the scalp to reinvigorate follicles, prevent damage, and retain moisture.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
Give the scrub a quick stir before use (a clean finger works perfectly) and massage it in circular motions over rough patches for best results.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Aug. 2025
Simply pat a pea-sized amount around your eye and gently massage it into your skin until it’s fully absorbed.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 27 Aug. 2025
Simply massage this lightweight formula into the scalp to reinvigorate follicles, prevent damage, and retain moisture.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 26 Aug. 2025
Give the scrub a quick stir before use (a clean finger works perfectly) and massage it in circular motions over rough patches for best results.
—Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 25 Aug. 2025
Simply pat a pea-sized amount around your eye and gently massage it into your skin until it’s fully absorbed.
—Katrina Cossey, Parents, 21 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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It’s packed with luxe sweaters, dresses, pants, and more that flatter smaller frames while looking stylish.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
Better Homes & Gardens,
4 Sep. 2025
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Soft, stretchy, and figure-flattering, this polo comes with a V-neck square collar that shows a slight amount of skin while still being appropriate for the office.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Sep. 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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Henry brushes it off as a nightmare; after Bug moves on, Beauchamp strokes the medallion and sings himself to sleep.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
22 Aug. 2025
Verb
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One fellow-freestyler praised her ingenuity but said that, in a creative category with many strong contenders, her victory was a bit disappointing.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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Reviewers praise its atmospheric setting and rich world-building, but some criticised its punishing difficulty.—
Griff Griffin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Enter Rutte, who knew Trump from his time as Prime Minister, and who got to work buttering up the American president.—
Tom Nagorski,
Time,
18 July 2025
Verb
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When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
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But weeks later, as Biden was being sworn into office, Cawthorn would be one of 17 freshmen who wrote to Biden congratulating him on his election and asking for bipartisanship.—
Danielle Battaglia,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Like so many institutions before it, the museum could have ignored the students, or puffed up some sort of defense.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
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He was inspired by folkloric characters from history, like the Slavic Baba Yaga and the Italian Befana, as well as Victorian lady silhouettes, 17th century panniers, puffed sleeves, and harem pants.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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