massaged

verb

past tense of massage
as in stroked
to praise too much a candidate who knows that you have to massage the voters if you want to get elected

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 massaged The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared to suffer a cramp in his left foot, threw up, and took a medical time-out to have his back massaged between the fourth and fifth sets before losing to Argentine player Mariano Navone. — Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026 Top Plays from Bears @ Titans To be clear, the first version will likely be revised and massaged before the Bears arrive at their first meaningful practice of Week 1. — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026 Words have been parsed over, ideas about location, production design, costume, lighting have all been carefully massaged even up to the day of photography. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Deirdre massaged my limbs while the cups went to work on my perpetually achy upper back. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 It's massaged into place before the incision is then stitched up. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 While this is all occurring on your scalp and hair, your body is on a heated bed, and your body is getting massaged. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 Does all kale need to be massaged? — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026 Davidson said four staff members massaged about two gallons of canola oil onto Elmer for seven hours while feeding him occasionally. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massaged
  1. stroked
  2. commended
  3. praised
  4. applauded
  5. congratulated
Verb
  • But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stroked
Verb
  • The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Lyne commended the Chicago actor specifically for a scene partway into the movie, when Lane’s Connie is deep into her affair but Gere’s Edward only has vague suspicions.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of commended
Verb
  • Pembroke Pines Police Chief Jose Vargas on Wednesday made the decision to shut down all license-plate cameras in the city, a decision urged by Mayor Angelo Castillo and praised by commissioners during their regular meeting Thursday night.
    — Angie DiMichele, Sun Sentinel, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Speaking outside the court Friday, defense attorney Kevin Reddington praised Clancy for enduring in such a difficult situation.
    — Carmel Wroth, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of praised
Verb
  • The playcalling duties have been assumed by offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, a move that Tepper applauded.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 9 Sep. 2026
  • During one rehearsal scene between them — a master-class, no other word for it — the Telluride crowd applauded in the middle of the movie.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of applauded
Verb
  • The leaders of right-wing populist parties in Spain and Portugal also congratulated AfD, German news agency dpa reported.
    — Kirsten Grieshaber, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Several of Crowder’s Tell Me Lies costars congratulated her in the comment section.
    — Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of congratulated

Browse Nearby Words

massage
massaged
massage parlor
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Cite this Entry

“Massaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massaged. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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