massage

verb

Definition of massagenext
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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of massage Place chicken thighs in a large zip-top plastic bag and pour marinade over them; seal and massage to coat chicken. — Elizabeth Nelson, Southern Living, 26 Aug. 2026 Other things to prevent damage prior to wearing stilettos can include stretching or massaging the arches of your foot. — Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 24 Aug. 2026 Angela Castro, the director of housekeeping at The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel, recommends gently massaging the filling by hand to redistribute it. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 22 Aug. 2026 There’s massaging seats with 15 individual air bladders, and a heated windshield that uses a thin metallic coating to remove winter frost without having to rely on climate control. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
  1. stroke
  2. praise
  3. congratulate
  4. puff
  5. butter up
  6. flatter
Verb
  • But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • The film is Bullock’s first in four years, and critics are ever-so-faintly praising her return to the big screen.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 12 Sep. 2026
  • Kvaratskhelia nods in agreement, praising Ruiz’s football IQ.
    — Tom Burrows, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • The leaders of right-wing populist parties in Spain and Portugal also congratulated AfD, German news agency dpa reported.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Christian Democrat candidate Sven Schulze took to the stage on Sunday evening to congratulate the AfD on its win.
    — Esme Nicholson, NPR, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Bake until the focaccia is set and slightly puffed and registers an internal temperature of 190°F, 18 to 22 minutes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Step 6 Bake cookies, rotating top to bottom and front to back, until edges are golden and firm but centers are still soft and puffed, 8–10 minutes.
    — Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Definition of puff
Verb
  • Yet, this will take a great deal of finesse, including pushing through a bill in parliament by buttering up Lord Hawthorne (Hugh Bonneville), who is willing to trade his vote for a night out with Susie’s brother, Jack (Harry Goodwins).
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These packages, which often run into thousands of dollars, attract many celebrities and corporate buyers who see the Games as a chance to butter up clients or reward top performers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of butter up
Verb
  • Booking reports in dollars but earns mostly in other currencies, and a weak dollar flattered early-year headline growth by several points.
    — Isabella Gao, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Said bows were worn undone, tapping into Waterhouse’s rock star aesthetic that is slightly disheveled but always flattering.
    — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of flatter

Browse Nearby Words

massacring
massage
massaged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 12 Sep. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on massage

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about massage

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