as in stroked
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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Recent Examples of massaged
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
Those of us without earplugs stupidly massaged our jaws, heads tilted, eyelids quivering, listening to overtones through our teeth.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025
Farmer told jurors at the trial that Maxwell allegedly massaged her breasts and Epstein climbed into bed with her without her permission.
—Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
During her cooking demo with King, the two stars prepared chicken sliders with homemade pimento cheese, a collard salad massaged with a vinaigrette made by the dynamic duo, topped with carrot ribbons, honeycrisp apples, orange wheels and feta cheese.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Cornerback Darnay Holmes, suffering from a thigh cramp and desperate to return to the game in the final minutes, pulled down his uniform pants — exposing his backside — while a trainer vigorously massaged the area.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Next to them, a blond, fit-looking woman, seated alone on a mat with crutches beside her, massaged herself, kneading muscles with her hands and using a scarf to help stretch her legs.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
In order to get the best results, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, gently massaged in until it’s fully absorbed.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This whole thing seems staged, planned, finagled, massaged, bamboozled, lollygagged, and all sorts of other long, silly-sounding words that may not necessarily apply to this situation.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Caitlin Gunther, Travel + Leisure, 25 Dec. 2025
Those of us without earplugs stupidly massaged our jaws, heads tilted, eyelids quivering, listening to overtones through our teeth.
—Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Nov. 2025
Farmer told jurors at the trial that Maxwell allegedly massaged her breasts and Epstein climbed into bed with her without her permission.
—Kelsie Hoffman, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025
During her cooking demo with King, the two stars prepared chicken sliders with homemade pimento cheese, a collard salad massaged with a vinaigrette made by the dynamic duo, topped with carrot ribbons, honeycrisp apples, orange wheels and feta cheese.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 14 Nov. 2025
Cornerback Darnay Holmes, suffering from a thigh cramp and desperate to return to the game in the final minutes, pulled down his uniform pants — exposing his backside — while a trainer vigorously massaged the area.
—Michael Silver, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Next to them, a blond, fit-looking woman, seated alone on a mat with crutches beside her, massaged herself, kneading muscles with her hands and using a scarf to help stretch her legs.
—Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
In order to get the best results, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, gently massaged in until it’s fully absorbed.
—Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025
This whole thing seems staged, planned, finagled, massaged, bamboozled, lollygagged, and all sorts of other long, silly-sounding words that may not necessarily apply to this situation.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 7 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massaged
Verb
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Influenced by her Indian heritage, Japanese craft philosophy, and the traditions of Shetland knitting, her work is highly distinctive and also wholly wearable; David and I stroked scarves, asymmetric wraps, and sweaters with yearning.—
Sarah Moss,
Travel + Leisure,
11 Jan. 2026
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Trump’s allies have always stroked his ego to get their way.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
11 Dec. 2025
Verb
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The judging panel, which this year included actor Emma Watson, commended the property for capturing the spirit of Beijing through its blends of traditional Hutong architecture and modern refinement.—
Chrissie McClatchie,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Jan. 2026
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The dean of the diplomatic corps, François commended the council for establishing specialized judicial units to investigate financial crimes and mass atrocities.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Special teams coordinator Tracy Smith has also routinely praised Scott’s willingness to do whatever is asked of him.—
Mike Kaye
January 8,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
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Officials praised the responders and said many of them received specialized water rescue training thanks to a federal grant.—
Christine Sloan,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a statement, Gandini applauded Nielsen’s e-commerce marketplace business and expressed confidence in his potential to propel the company into a new phase.—
Sofia Celeste,
Footwear News,
21 Jan. 2026
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Timashev also applauded updates to Biohaven’s degrader program, which provide evidence of the platform’s potential to help treat Graves’ disease and kidney diseases such as IgA nephropathy.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Stunned by the news, Weathers raced to the visiting clubhouse, where his teammates on the 49-58 Marlins — 16 1/2 games back in the standings — congratulated him.—
Brendan Kuty,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
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And that’s why there’s been so much attention paid to who congratulated Kate Middleton on her birthday on January 9.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
13 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Massaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massaged. Accessed 26 Jan. 2026.
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