as in courting
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as in stroking
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 massaging
Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
My goal in my team building is to eliminate as many weekly lineup decisions as possible, but the player pool, injuries, matchups, and underperformance invite week-to-week massaging of all positions.
—Shawn Childs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
The interior aims for a whisper quiet experience with acoustic glass, and features leather seats with heating, cooling and massaging functions.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
The reality was hours spent tuning schemas, massaging formats and working with data that was stale before anyone could act on it.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
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
These ads showed images of tractors, mountains of blueberries and a man’s hands massaging a clump of dirt, each segment highlighting a different part of the industry.
—Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Some people might allege conspiracy — that someone inside the agency is massaging numbers.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Options like massaging seats and a third row are also available.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
New to Xcel is Celebrity’s first-ever Hydra Room, a warm, bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs, that compliments the Thermal Suite’s other therapeutic experiences, including steam and an ocean view sauna.
—Susan Barnes, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
Most dogs love the feeling of the rubber groomer massaging their skin.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
That merely meant coach Brian Dutcher didn’t have to delicately parcel out playing time while massaging egos on his Mariana Trench-deep roster, and the bench shortened by circumstance delivered a 77-45 win powered by a pair of true freshmen and a typically frenetic defensive effort.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Noun
Best external devices for baby gas relief This device can be placed on a hurting tummy or secured around the baby’s midsection with a band that contains a small massaging device.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 22 Jan. 2026
My goal in my team building is to eliminate as many weekly lineup decisions as possible, but the player pool, injuries, matchups, and underperformance invite week-to-week massaging of all positions.
—Shawn Childs, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025
The interior aims for a whisper quiet experience with acoustic glass, and features leather seats with heating, cooling and massaging functions.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 19 Oct. 2025
The reality was hours spent tuning schemas, massaging formats and working with data that was stale before anyone could act on it.
—Tony Bradley, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
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
These ads showed images of tractors, mountains of blueberries and a man’s hands massaging a clump of dirt, each segment highlighting a different part of the industry.
—Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
Some people might allege conspiracy — that someone inside the agency is massaging numbers.
—Abby McCloskey, Twin Cities, 4 Jan. 2026
Options like massaging seats and a third row are also available.
—New Atlas, 27 Dec. 2025
New to Xcel is Celebrity’s first-ever Hydra Room, a warm, bubbling pool with massaging jets and heated lounge chairs, that compliments the Thermal Suite’s other therapeutic experiences, including steam and an ocean view sauna.
—Susan Barnes, Southern Living, 10 Dec. 2025
Most dogs love the feeling of the rubber groomer massaging their skin.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2025
That merely meant coach Brian Dutcher didn’t have to delicately parcel out playing time while massaging egos on his Mariana Trench-deep roster, and the bench shortened by circumstance delivered a 77-45 win powered by a pair of true freshmen and a typically frenetic defensive effort.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massaging
Noun
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With the courting process complete, Harbaugh is now tasked with turning around the beleaguered franchise that has made just two playoff appearances over the past 12 years and not made it past the divisional round.—
Stephen Whyno,
Twin Cities,
17 Jan. 2026
-
Truth is, romance isn’t solely about the grand gestures and lavish courting.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
10 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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At one point Eliot entered the TV room and found Abby with her head on Claire’s lap, Claire stroking her hair.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
25 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The programs are some of the biggest things he’s done for the county, Karner said, praising their impact.—
Joseph States,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
Transportation and accelerated bridge construction Transportation featured prominently, with Healey again praising MBTA General Manager Phil Eng to the most rancorous applause of the night.—
Sam Drysdale,
CBS News,
22 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And Mike's wooing was not initially reciprocated – Claire was married, divorcing her first husband, Rachel and Dayna's father, when Dayna was a baby.—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
18 Dec. 2025
-
The desperate wooing of Trumpworld figures has been evident with both men.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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On Sunday night and into Monday, BAM’s X feed spilled over with reposts commending the account for its largely correct forecasts.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Comments on both videos range from commending this brilliant idea to admitting to leaving the anchor in and patching over it.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Due to a positive audience response to the pairing, the writers retconned the scene as a seduction, rather than rape.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
22 Dec. 2025
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For years, Laura's rape was treated as a sort of seduction — until 1998 when Luke and Laura's son Lucky (Jonathan Jackson) finds out the dark history behind his parents' romance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Dec. 2025
Verb
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During that time, policemen and policewomen, Black and white, approached Officer Daniel, hugging him, shaking his hand, patting him on the back, congratulating him — demonstrating an enormous outpouring of support and admiration.—
Reader Commentary,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Jan. 2026
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Daniel Girdler got plenty of text messages this week congratulating him on his recent engagement.—
Jason Armesto,
AJC.com,
10 Jan. 2026
Verb
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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
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Out on break, puffing on a cigarette, Dana is sucker-punched by a patient disgruntled over his wait time.—
EW Staff December 5,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massaging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massaging. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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