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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As the migrants boarded, a man hoisted one of the passengers in the air, a fussing 8-month-old baby whose face was flushed red from the heat.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
AZCentral.com,
6 Nov. 2025 -
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
Verb
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Galloway is a happy user of both substances, and treats drinking as a pleasure best enjoyed in youth.—
Alexander Nazaryan,
New Yorker,
29 Jan. 2026
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Advice for preventing or treating UTIs has long focused on diet — think cranberry juice, avoiding coffee or drinking more water.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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They are expected to deliver essential services while absorbing funding delays, underpaid contracts, and rising costs with little margin for error.—
Cat Ward,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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Time spent on the job is both the biggest expense and the hardest to accurately gauge, leaving firms to choose between surprising clients with a larger bill or absorbing the additional cost.—
Danielle Higley,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Duff wrote alongside a drooling-face emoji.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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But pets who eat poinsettia flowers or leaves might develop drooling, vomiting or diarrhea.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
12 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Recycle them and enjoy not having as much paper taking up space in your home!—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
22 Jan. 2026
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With thoughtful compartments that keep everything organized without taking up much space, this travel accessory is one Shortsleeve never leaves behind.—
Chaise Sanders,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Jan. 2026
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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 2 Feb. 2026.
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