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
During the drying cycle, stop the dryer and massage the coat with your hands to help break up any down clumps.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
But a talent for massaging egos is the most desirable strength.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
To experience its magic for yourself, massage two to four droppers of product into your scalp before shampooing, or use it as a nourishing overnight treatment.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 14 Jan. 2026
But a talent for massaging egos is the most desirable strength.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.
—Iman Balagam, Vogue, 9 Jan. 2026
To experience its magic for yourself, massage two to four droppers of product into your scalp before shampooing, or use it as a nourishing overnight treatment.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 9 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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The contoured waistband stays in place and holds you in without digging into skin, while the medium-compression fabric delivers a smoothing effect that’s flattering from the waist down.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The look on his face was pleased, flattered, almost boyish.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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She was later reunited with her dog, stroking him in stunned silence before being taken to the hospital.—
Danielle Bacher,
PEOPLE,
20 Jan. 2026
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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
Verb
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Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in separate statements, praised the security forces for the operations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
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Instead of soaking in the third consecutive meet with a perfect score, Chiles praised Barros, who competed in three events for the second straight meet.—
Anthony Solorzano,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
-
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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Backstage, Finn Balor congratulated Punk and thanked him for giving him his flowers last week.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
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The idea that Henie actually had a romantic relationship with Hitler is widely disputed; the ice princess and the dictator did, however, reportedly go to lunch after Hitler congratulated her rinkside on winning her third Olympic title.—
Natasha O'Neill,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Joey McGuire pulled Morton toward him and whispered something to his quarterback, who then puffed his chest and went forward with the postgame conference.—
Ty Kaplan,
Dallas Morning News,
1 Jan. 2026
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This whiskey can, of course, be enjoyed without puffing on a cigar—that part of the ritual is completely optional—but it was made very intentionally by master blender Nancy Fraley and master distiller John Schrepel.—
Jonah Flicker,
Robb Report,
27 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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