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
Relevance
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
Myricks then applied it on the back of her hand and evenly massaged the product around the face, focusing on areas with texture or larger pores.
—
Essence Wiley, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Make your way to your belly button and massage the center of your stomach for a couple of minutes.
—Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
The other two guys, who are wearing undies when not getting massaged, are giving the lightest and most cursory of touches to either the shoulders or the calves.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
DeZarate used an iced jade roller to bring down any puffiness and massaged my skin with La Mer Moisturizing Matte Lotion for that truly luxurious feel.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Essence Wiley, InStyle, 7 Feb. 2026
Make your way to your belly button and massage the center of your stomach for a couple of minutes.
—Julia Ries Wexler, SELF, 6 Feb. 2026
The other two guys, who are wearing undies when not getting massaged, are giving the lightest and most cursory of touches to either the shoulders or the calves.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2026
DeZarate used an iced jade roller to bring down any puffiness and massaged my skin with La Mer Moisturizing Matte Lotion for that truly luxurious feel.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 31 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
-
Sharon used to be the company’s secret weapon, a beautiful, smart and immaculately presented businesswoman who flattered hard cash out of horny old billionaires.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
11 Feb. 2026
-
Stolz says he’s flattered to hear about such comparisons but also is quick to note that what Heiden accomplished was remarkably different, given his participation at all five of those distances.—
Howard Fendrich,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
-
She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
In the same breath, Cosgrove praised Diggins for being vulnerable throughout her rise up the ranks, such as sharing her struggle with an eating disorder, which has played a role in inspiring the next generation to face their own struggles.—
Dane Mizutani,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Murad Awawdeh, president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, praised the mayor’s directive in a statement.—
Josephine Stratman,
New York Daily News,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
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
-
The surprise meeting was on the stage of the Zlata Hokejka (Golden Stick) award show in the Czech Republic, where Hašek congratulated Dostál for being named one of the country’s best hockey players.—
Jesse Granger,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Rehmet said Patrick congratulated him.—
Jack Fink,
CBS News,
8 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The crust puffs up nicely and isn’t as thin and cardboard-y as others, while the white cheese blend and wisp of rosemary remind me of a New York white pie slice.—
Alex Beggs,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
7 Feb. 2026
-
Plus, it’s packed with skin care to brighten and de-puff your skin with everyday use.—
Genevieve Cepeda,
InStyle,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
