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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The interplay of the sparklers with sterling silver or 14-karat yellow gold will flatter every skin tone while putting a smile on every face, making this four-figure investment completely and utterly worth it.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Nov. 2025
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Previously, Dimon has been flattered by the questions but has not responded firmly one way or the other.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Their surfaces demand to be stroked so that fingertips register the contrast between rough concrete and polished terrazzo.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
3 Nov. 2025
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Sometimes just stroking the ball to the other field, as Andres Gimenez did to drive in a run, or rolling one through the hole as Addison Barger did for an RBI in that inning, works just as well.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
29 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Zhao praised Kore-eda’s films for their focus on mundane details – laundry, cooking, daily routines – that create a meditative rhythm before emotional tsunamis arrive.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
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The country singer had posted a photo on Instagram of the polarizing conservative activist with himself and wife Brittany, and praised Kirk in the caption.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
3 Nov. 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 president even congratulated him following the June 3 opening of his restaurant The Detroit Cowboy in Nashville.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
31 Oct. 2025
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Sharik and Jessica Burgess-Stride of Rotorua were finishing their wedding paperwork when actor Elijah Wood walked down the aisle to congratulate them.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Elevated by a low heel, the shoes provided a frosty sparkling accent to a light pink dress featuring one puffed sheer long sleeve with ornate embellishment at the cuff.—
Jaden Thompson,
Footwear News,
27 Oct. 2025
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Bake in preheated oven, 1 baking sheet at a time, until golden brown and puffed, about 20 minutes.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
24 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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