as in to coax
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
she can sweet-talk her besotted boyfriend into just about anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in butter
excessive praise
enough of this sweet talk—just give me your honest opinion of my performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sweet-talk
Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Then, after Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, in mid-August, a group of European leaders, including Zelensky, flocked to Washington in a collective effort to sweet-talk Trump.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
When things aren’t working on a practical level, though, no amount of sweet talk can cover that up.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Verb
Forget the old myths about dressing up or sweet-talking your way to the front.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Then, after Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, in mid-August, a group of European leaders, including Zelensky, flocked to Washington in a collective effort to sweet-talk Trump.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
Just in case that gave Reba a leg up, don't let her sweet talk you.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
When things aren’t working on a practical level, though, no amount of sweet talk can cover that up.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweet-talk
Verb
-
Jonathan Karis, an alumnus of Gramercy Tavern, takes the season’s bounty and coaxes it into its fullest expression — home cooking at its most virtuosic.—
Ligaya Mishan,
New York Times,
11 May 2026
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Aside from its rich taste coaxed in fruity olive oil, a tin is often less than four bucks.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 May 2026
Noun
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The dish had hardly a hint of sweetness at all beyond the butter’s lactic tang.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
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If the figs aren’t perfectly ripe, sprinkle them with brown sugar and a dot of butter to help them along.—
Anna Grace Lee,
Vogue,
9 May 2026
Noun
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Practical self-care items such as thick lotions, face masks and soft soaps that don’t irritate skin. Pragmatic.—
Ellen T. Meiser,
The Conversation,
5 Dec. 2025
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People should wash any skin that comes into contact with the slurry with water and soft soap, before using a hand cream to avoid dryness and cracking.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
2 Sep. 2024
Noun
-
Abel’s detailed knowledge about Berkshire’s operating businesses won praise, but the unexplained absence of substantial buybacks and a lack of clarity on the future of the equity portfolio and Berkshire’s big cash pile are coming up as negatives.—
Alex Crippen,
CNBC,
9 May 2026
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Brown’s decision to change the Knicks’ offense while down 1-2 in the first-round series against the Atlanta Hawks continues to draw high praise.—
Kristian Winfield,
New York Daily News,
9 May 2026
Noun
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After the initial flattery, the tone shifts to isolating phrases.—
Kathy and Ross Petrass,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Our actual political landscape, in which government officials are adding journalists to top-secret group chats or running around in wrong-sized shoes as a form of flattery, has too far superseded anything even the most cutting jokester could ever have dreamed up.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The setting had simply always been part of my life, pieces of it stretching into every corner of my mind like taffy.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 May 2026
-
Her lyrics were as interested in the sound of language as the meaning, stretching words like taffy and ping-ponging syllables around.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The backstage visit comes amid a major moment for Rudolph, whose run as Mary Todd Lincoln in the Tony-winning comedy has garnered critical and audience acclaim.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
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For his inspired stewardship, Cox, who died Saturday at the age of 84, several years after suffering a stroke, won widespread acclaim as one of the greatest managers the grand old game has ever known.—
Mark Bradley for the AJC,
AJC.com,
9 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 12 May. 2026.
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