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
Exercise of all kinds is also effective at stimulating the skin and muscles in a way that is similar to massage, Field said.
—
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
His physiotherapist’s hands gently massage the back of his neck and the base of his jaw, searching for the vagus nerve.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
Start with a dry face, massage it in to loosen things up, then apply water to emulsify, and reach for a washcloth to get rid of any excess.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
His physiotherapist’s hands gently massage the back of his neck and the base of his jaw, searching for the vagus nerve.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Rosehip oil can be applied pure to clean, dry skin on both the face and body using a few drops massaged in gently.
—Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 19 Feb. 2026
Start with a dry face, massage it in to loosen things up, then apply water to emulsify, and reach for a washcloth to get rid of any excess.
—Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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By doing so, the technology can be expanded to flatter geographic regions that were previously ineligible for hydropower.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
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And clothes that flatter so many types of person.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
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This could have caused the plaque to chip off and cause a fatal heart attack or stroke any time over the next 5-10 years, maybe even sooner.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Feb. 2026
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When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
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In a statement on Friday, Lamont praised Quiros’ record as commissioner and thanked him for his years of service.—
Emilia Otte,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2026
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Pennsylvania senators praise decision to strike Iran Democratic Senator John Fetterman took to X (formerly Twitter) to praise the operation.—
Patrick Damp,
CBS News,
28 Feb. 2026
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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Fraternity members congratulated each winner and posed for group photos with their full carts.—
Eva Remijan-Toba,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Feb. 2026
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Trump made the comment during a locker-room call congratulating the men’s team on their 2-1 overtime victory over Canada.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Top-wise, besides corsetry, retailers will no doubt zero in on silhouettes that float and drape on the body, with Isabella-esque puffed sleeves or Cathy-leaning off-the-shoulder necklines.—
Alice Cary,
Vogue,
24 Feb. 2026
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Bake cookies, rotating baking sheets top to bottom and front to back halfway through, until slightly puffed and cracked, 11–15 minutes.—
Jesse Szewczyk,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.
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