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
Relevance
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
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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
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For Asmae El Moudir in The Mother of All Lies, that meant using miniatures to coax out details of her family’s experiences during Morocco’s brutal Years of Lead.—
Alison Willmore,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
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For much of the 20th century, coffee in the United States was cheap and almost forgettable, either instant granules dissolved in hot water or weak brews coaxed from percolators.—
Nick El Hajj,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The parathas, as the savory flatbreads are called, stuffed with onion and paneer and coated with a generous amount of butter, are as delicious as ever.—
Mithil Aggarwal,
NBC news,
11 Apr. 2026
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While not technically a lunch spot, popping by this French-Asian bakery on Duke Street for a slice of their honey butter toast is always a good idea.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 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
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And some of their contemporaries led the way in the online onset of praise for their honesty and perseverance.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 Apr. 2026
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Phillip – the only Black woman to helm a primetime news program in the most coveted block of news programming – garners praise for keeping her cool as host amid the show's heated hour-long runtime.—
Jay Stahl,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2026
Noun
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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
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But if online flattery is an accurate indicator, more Goodness Land would be a gift to Mediterranean food aficionados in the neighborhood.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
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For dessert, head straight to Jenkinson’s Sweet Shop, which has been making confections like candy apples, fudge, and taffy since the early 20th century.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
23 Feb. 2026
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The store also has some more traditional candy and a large assortment of taffy.—
Paige Moore,
AZCentral.com,
19 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Li received critical acclaim for her role as Grace Chow in Sinners.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
17 Apr. 2026
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The show — created by, written by, and starring Rachel Bloom — lasted four seasons, garnering several awards and critical acclaim, despite low ratings.—
Jennifer Day,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.
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