SUCKING (UP) Synonyms: 61 Similar and Opposite Words

sucking (up)

verb

Definition of sucking (up)

present participle of suck (up)

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

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)

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

Mix these finds into your work wardrobe or your off-duty ensembles—they’re versatile enough to do it all, and the festive palette is worth drooling over.

— Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 7 Oct. 2026
There was one of Melissa Gorga’s sprinkle cookies ground into the carpet, and there was Kelsey Swanson, passed out under the piano and drooling on the parquet.

— Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of drooling

Verb

She was isolated and pulled the play back out to the perimeter for a potential pick, but turned quickly and went to the rim, absorbing the contact from Williams.

— AJC.com, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
Kirby Smart’s program has been the SEC’s gold standard since Nick Saban’s retirement at Alabama, where Smart spent nine seasons absorbing the fine points of championship success from one of the sport’s greatest coaches.

— Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of absorbing

Verb

The Times reported last month that Waymo’s electric vehicles have been taking up space at public charging stations in San Diego County.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026
The pro-European government of Donald Tusk accuses Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki, who is aligned with PiS, of blocking judges elected by the parliamentary majority from taking up their posts at the tribunal.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of taking up

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Browse Nearby Words

sucking in

sucking (up)

sucking (up to)

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Style

“Sucking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucking%20%28up%29. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of sucking (up)

verb

Example Sentences

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