sucks (up)

verb

present tense third-person singular of suck (up)
1
as in fusses
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 soaks (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 sucks (up)
  1. fusses
  2. drinks
  3. absorbs
Verb
  • Five-month-old Ladoo fusses in a hammock made from an old scarf.
    — Diaa Hadid, NPR, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of fusses
Verb
  • Nathan Fielder has taken on airline crashes, his fear of intimacy, and a man who drinks his grandson’s pee, but Elizabeth Holmes might be his most formidable opponent subject yet.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2026
  • For just $5, keep everyone comfortable and drinks cool with the Caterer’s Corner Ice Bucket.
    — Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of drinks
Verb
  • Put Risk And Responsibility Into The Business Case If the operator earns a referral fee while the provider absorbs refunds, fraud and customer service, those costs belong in the margin calculation.
    — Rishi Katdare, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The oil itself applies with a buttery glide, absorbs in five seconds, and doesn’t feel sticky or greasy.
    — Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of absorbs
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

sucks in
sucks (up)
sucks (up to)
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Cite this Entry

“Sucks (up).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sucks%20%28up%29. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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