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
Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication, massage the area, do gentle stretches, or place ice or heating packs in 20- to 30-minute bouts on your body.
—
Andee Tagle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
The bamboo is wedged into a workbench, the chef drapes one leg over the far end, and bounces up and down to massage the dough.
—Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Create some suspense and anticipation by going in slowly, starting with the head and just massaging it slightly with the tip of your tongue.
—Ian Kumamoto, Them., 10 Sep. 2025
For anyone who wants to try it at home, warm up a few tablespoons of coconut oil, massage it through damp hair from roots to ends, cover your hair with a shower cap, leave it on for 20-to-30 minutes, and then shampoo and condition as usual.
—Natasha López, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Andee Tagle, NPR, 2 Oct. 2025
The bamboo is wedged into a workbench, the chef drapes one leg over the far end, and bounces up and down to massage the dough.
—Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 14 Sep. 2025
Create some suspense and anticipation by going in slowly, starting with the head and just massaging it slightly with the tip of your tongue.
—Ian Kumamoto, Them., 10 Sep. 2025
For anyone who wants to try it at home, warm up a few tablespoons of coconut oil, massage it through damp hair from roots to ends, cover your hair with a shower cap, leave it on for 20-to-30 minutes, and then shampoo and condition as usual.
—Natasha López, Refinery29, 10 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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Your 11-year-old self must have felt quite flattered.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Oct. 2025
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Purple-pinks are also flattering.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
13 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ohtani stroked a triple into the right field corner in his first at-bat Thursday and scored on Mookie Betts’ double.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
17 Oct. 2025
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The Tigers tied the game in the eighth when Spencer Torkelson stroked a two-run double off reliever Matt Brash, who wound up getting the win.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Awards pundits predict that both White and Strong will be Oscar contenders for their performances, which have been praised by critics on the film festival circuit.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
20 Oct. 2025
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Speaking to Variety at the Academy Museum Gala over the weekend, the actor praised his experience shooting the new episodes.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
20 Oct. 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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The Ole Miss coach wanted to shake his hand and congratulate him.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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West, in an interview, congratulated Dokes on her decision to run and welcomed her to the race.—
Ella McCarthy,
Arkansas Online,
17 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Avocado Eye Cream to hydrate and de-puff your under-eyes, along with the rich Creme De Corps Body Lotion to lock in moisture post-shower.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
21 Oct. 2025
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Bake at 350°F until set and slightly puffed, 25 to 35 minutes.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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