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
How can massage improve menopause symptoms?
—
Ronnie Koenig, SELF, 2 Jan. 2026
Simply massage a generous layer into clean skin on your neck and chest using upward, sweeping motions.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Options like massaging seats and a third row are also available.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Or opt for the Oil Ceremony, where layers of delicately scented oils are massaged into the skin in a soothing ritual.
—Caitlin Gunther, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Ronnie Koenig, SELF, 2 Jan. 2026
Simply massage a generous layer into clean skin on your neck and chest using upward, sweeping motions.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Options like massaging seats and a third row are also available.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
Or opt for the Oil Ceremony, where layers of delicately scented oils are massaged into the skin in a soothing ritual.
—Caitlin Gunther, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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The butt-flattering pants look like chic trousers but feel like sweats, and don’t have any bulky design details.—
Eva Thomas,
InStyle,
9 Jan. 2026
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The style makes your legs look longer and flatter your hips thanks to the high-rise waistline.—
Caroline Hughes,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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For an artisanal twist, look no further than Ezcaray Matisse throw that looks as if Georgia O’Keeffe applied the paint brush strokes herself.—
Kristine Hansen,
Architectural Digest,
8 Jan. 2026
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Allen has created a hall of mirrors, then, in which we’re supposed to stroke our chins and perhaps wink-wink at Baum’s meta commentary about the dangers of confusing the artist with the man … But so what?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Dec. 2025
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
-
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 15 Jan. 2026.
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