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
Part your hair in sections and dispense the product along the scalp, then massage it in for 30 to 60 seconds to help boost absorption and stimulate circulation.
—
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for massage
Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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Available in seven shades, the lineup ranges from lighter tones with pink and red undertones to deeper bronzes designed to flatter a wide spectrum of skin tones.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
11 Mar. 2026
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And the one-piece bathing suits were not flattering.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bowen nipped in ahead of Calvin Bassey and passed to Summerville, who advanced to stroke his fifth league goal of the season, and seventh in 10 appearances across all competitions, into the unguarded net.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
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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
Verb
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Felix Tshisekedi, president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, praised Jackson as a peacemaker and humanitarian.—
Matt Brown,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Mar. 2026
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Owner António Silva, 66, has been running his no-frills charcoal-grill shop for four decades, but his newfound fame started after he was praised online by a Chinese influencer.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
7 Mar. 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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Queen Victoria used the wire to congratulate President James Buchanan on the accomplishment, widely considered an engineering marvel at the time.—
Phil Diehl,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
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Sun brought with her a reply letter from Xi Jinping congratulating the Greek scholars on the center’s opening.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
8 Mar. 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 15 Mar. 2026.
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