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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sucking (up)
Verb
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With five blades sandwiched between two moisturizing bars, this razor speeds up the entire process (no fussing around with shaving cream), nourishing dry skin and making nicks a rare occurrence.—
Sophia Panych,
Allure,
16 Sep. 2025 -
This was the mid 1980s and tandem skydiving hadn’t been popularized yet, so his father, Roger, adjusted accordingly by stuffing carpet padding into the leg pads to stop him from fussing.—
Angelina Liu,
People.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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So just fixing my diet, drinking a lot of water, stretching, moving every day, doing the right movements.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
2 Oct. 2025
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To paraphrase Fight Club, fighting becomes the reason to keep your nails short, to order salad instead of fries, and to stop drinking on weeknights.—
Dan Brooks,
The Atlantic,
2 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Many are now enriched with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and botanical extracts, such as aloe, which help keep skin hydrated and balanced while clearing pores and absorbing excess oil.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
30 Sep. 2025
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Still, his creation keeps growing, absorbing our reality in the process.—
Julian Lucas,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Well, then it’s being stolen right out from under its retracting proboscis, which is actually just another drooling head that lives in its mouth.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
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The most common symptoms of teething include drooling, putting fingers or fists in their mouth, swollen or puffy gums, difficulty sleeping, crankiness and fussiness, per the institution.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The Supreme Court is taking up another gun rights dispute in a case that could lead to more handguns in public places.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
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With King Charles’ health deteriorating, the Prince and Princess of Wales are taking up more royal duties, and their efforts aren’t going unnoticed.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
27 Sep. 2025
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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 5 Oct. 2025.
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