sucking (up)

verb

Definition of sucking (up)next
present participle of suck (up)
1
as in currying favor
to use flattery or the doing of favors in order to win approval especially from a superior a young lieutenant constantly sucking up to the commanding officer

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in soaking (up)
to take in (something liquid) through small openings these lilacs sucked up all the water I added to the vase yesterday

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for sucking (up)
  1. fussing
  2. drinking
  3. drooling
  4. absorbing
  5. taking up
Verb
  • Similar to Egypt after its collapse earlier in the week, Switzerland exited fussing about the officiating.
    — Jerry Brewer, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • Yes, teaching by example is often a better way of handling a challenge than fussing about it.
    — Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 17 June 2026
Definition of fussing
Verb
  • Jennifer Messemer-Skold, the communications director for Miami-Dade Water and Sewer, said the department’s stance is that the county’s tap water meets all current requirements and residents don’t need a filter to be drinking high quality water.
    — Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 7 Aug. 2026
  • As Ryan prepared to return to the United States, he and three members of the press were shot and killed, prompting Jones to enact a mass suicide plan involving drinking a fruit drink laced with poison and sedatives.
    — Tracy Grant, Encyclopedia Britannica, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of drinking
Verb
  • While drooling during sleep can conjure scary thoughts of a health problem, experts say the habit is nothing to worry about — though there are still certain signs to watch for.
    — Gavin Escott, USA Today, 3 Aug. 2026
  • If your pet is vomiting, drooling, showing weakness or having trouble swallowing or breathing, head directly to a veterinary hospital.
    — Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
Definition of drooling
Verb
  • The White Sox acquired Castillo on Saturday night, absorbing the approximately $30 million he is guaranteed for the rest of this season and next.
    — Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
  • Subsequent purchases included ammonia and odor-absorbing materials.
    — Barbara Vitello, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of absorbing
Verb
  • Sort the list, prep the meal, or handle the task that has been quietly taking up brain space.
    — Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 8 Aug. 2026
  • This is supportive energy for closure, rest, or releasing a feeling that has been taking up too much room behind the scenes.
    — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of taking up
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.

Browse Nearby Words

sucking in
sucking (up)
sucking (up to)
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Cite this Entry

“Sucking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucking%20%28up%29. Accessed 9 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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