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sweet-talk 1 of 2

verb

ˈswēt-ˌtȯk How to pronounce sweet-talk (audio)
Definition of sweet-talknext
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

sweet talk

2 of 2

noun

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 show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sweet-talk
Verb
Instead of sweet-talking your way out of a parking ticket, admit your mistake and pay the fine. — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Parents, 10 Jan. 2026 Hanks takes a detour from his traditional nice guy roles to sleaze it up as the hard-drinking, sweet-talking Wilson, and that alone is worth a watch. — Lia Beck, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Dec. 2025
Noun
From there, according to the report, the sweet talk quickly moves to messaging platforms like WhatsApp, Google Chat or Telegram. — Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024 Just in case that gave Reba a leg up, don't let her sweet talk you. — Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024 See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweet-talk
  1. coax
  2. soft soap
  3. praise
  4. flattery
  5. taffy
  6. acclaim
Verb
  • Inside, under flickering lights, a group of reluctant strangers is coaxed into acting out, in a converted gymnasium, a wild tale promising redemption from agonizing tragedy.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The hard-throwing righty then coaxed a soft grounder from Luis Arraez to secure his third save of the season.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of coax
Noun
  • 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
  • Founder and creative director Joy Cho’s lifestyle brand offers whimsical products, spanning bandages to soft soap, as well as regular editorial content online.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2021
Definition of soft soap
Noun
  • John Leguizamo, who earned praise for his performance in Universal’s summer blockbuster The Odyssey, is returning to the studio for its big-screen take on Miami Vice.
    — Borys Kit, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Both thanked the filmmakers, and let Chad Smith, also present, say a few words of praise.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of praise
Noun
  • The message underneath the flattery is more consequential since Somaliland is no longer simply making a historical or moral case for recognition.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But Ridgeway pushes on, trying various means — flattery, insults, amateur psychology — to cajole her into delivering a new Ripley book.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of flattery
Noun
  • Gelato is churned more slowly than ice cream, giving it a dense, almost taffy-like chewy texture.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Adam evoked the image of stretching taffy.
    — Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 18 June 2026
Definition of taffy
Noun
  • In the end, Thelma and Louise won, and the episodes aired in the fall of 1992 to critical acclaim and strong ratings.
    — Kristal Brent Zook, Vanity Fair, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Indeed, though a pioneer for women officers and detectives who followed her, Pontoriero sought no acclaim for her achievements.
    — David Mendell, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of acclaim

Browse Nearby Words

sweets
sweet-talk
sweet talk
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Cite this Entry

“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 19 Sep. 2026.

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