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
Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.
—
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
To experience its magic for yourself, massage two to four droppers of product into your scalp before shampooing, or use it as a nourishing overnight treatment.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
These ads showed images of tractors, mountains of blueberries and a man’s hands massaging a clump of dirt, each segment highlighting a different part of the industry.
—Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Some people might allege conspiracy — that someone inside the agency is massaging numbers.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
To experience its magic for yourself, massage two to four droppers of product into your scalp before shampooing, or use it as a nourishing overnight treatment.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
These ads showed images of tractors, mountains of blueberries and a man’s hands massaging a clump of dirt, each segment highlighting a different part of the industry.
—Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Some people might allege conspiracy — that someone inside the agency is massaging numbers.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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The squared scoop neck is also one of my favorite necklines for flattering the décolletage for a more polished look.—
Olivia Dubyak,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
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Cinching your waist with a belt will flatter your figure while wearing tights will lend you some extra warmth.—
Krista Carter,
InStyle,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During Glaser's interview with Stern, the shock jock praised her for mocking CBS News despite the Golden Globes airing on CBS.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
14 Jan. 2026
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Jackson also praised his son’s skills as a father in a 2022 interview with Tru Rock Revival.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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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The pair exchanged smiles and kisses as the accolade was engraved, while Chalamet also congratulated fellow winner Paul Thomas Anderson, who took home the Best Screenplay award for One Battle After Another.—
Clare Fisher,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
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Trump congratulated Microsoft on its efforts to keep prices in check, suggesting that other companies will make similar commitments.—
Jordan Novet,
CNBC,
13 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Joey McGuire pulled Morton toward him and whispered something to his quarterback, who then puffed his chest and went forward with the postgame conference.—
Ty Kaplan,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
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This whiskey can, of course, be enjoyed without puffing on a cigar—that part of the ritual is completely optional—but it was made very intentionally by master blender Nancy Fraley and master distiller John Schrepel.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 25 Jan. 2026.
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