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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The first person to stop drinking or vomit was deemed the loser of the challenge, the lawsuit said.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
9 Oct. 2025
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But with each year, the festival began to feel looser, with kids hanging out and drinking, showing up for the party; at moments, women would be dancing barefoot in their brassieres.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The polycarbonate shell is designed with impact-absorbing flexibility, while the ridged exterior helps disguise any surface scratches.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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Its thorough filtration process captures pollen, dust, and other small particles, while also absorbing odors and fumes.—
Isabel Garcia,
PEOPLE,
8 Oct. 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 teacher opted to try taking up the carpet herself on the last day of school, but later submitted a work order after the job turned out to be too difficult to complete herself, the letter reads.—
JENNAH PENDLETON,
Sacbee.com,
10 Oct. 2025
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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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Cite this Entry
“Sucking (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucking%20%28up%29. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.
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