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
  • If the bladder is already full and there’s nowhere to go, drinking even more fluid is only going to make the problem worse.
    — Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2026
  • By contrast, another participant recalled disagreeing with a friend who believed drinking soda and eating fast food was harmless, a belief the participant considered factually wrong.
    — Andras Molnar, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of drinking
Verb
  • Stuff like Caitlin Clark getting mugged with no foul being called, or Sophie Cunningham pointing at some obnoxious player, or ESPN drooling over a coach wearing a pro-trans shirt.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Video released by the Milwaukie Police Department shows Descamps sprawled in a hospital bed, his body limp, moaning and drooling, while medical staff stood nearby.
    — Brian Mann, NPR, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of drooling
Verb
  • Owners now face the tough decision of raising prices and risking losing customers, or absorbing higher costs and sacrificing profits.
    — Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Ensure the ground has impact-absorbing cushioning (rubber, pea gravel, mulch).
    — Oc Register, Oc Register, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of absorbing
Verb
  • One-and-done dressing means one less outfit to plan—and fewer pieces taking up precious suitcase space.
    — Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 14 Aug. 2026
  • 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
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)
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sucking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucking%20%28up%29. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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