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
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
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The final arrangement is a mystery revealed only after it’s coaxed out of its mold.—
Megan Paetzhold,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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In a leafy New Jersey suburb, Baratta set out to coax Barley, a mix of pit bull, beagle and shepherd, into the afternoon air with a wind chill pushing the temperature down into the 20s.—
Cathy Bussewitz,
Fortune,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Low isn’t the first to do a curry-chicken potpie, but his version is rich and warm, with airy, shattery pastry reminiscent of roti, flaky and slick with butter.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
Fish them all out and blend with parm, butter, and a splash of the boiling water.—
Nina Moskowitz,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
5 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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Queta also has drawn praise for his improvement as a defender and screener.—
Zack Cox,
Boston Herald,
6 Apr. 2026
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Torii Hunter, a defensive whiz who now works as an Angels special assistant and who happened to be in the dugout, was succinct in his praise for the performance.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Imitation, of course, is the sincerest form of flattery.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
-
This tradition should be viewed as a form of flattery.—
U T Readers,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 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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Released more than a year before the war in Gaza became front page news, Mo received critical acclaim for its portrayal of Palestinian culture and the refugee experience.—
Andrew Walsh,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Apr. 2026
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Todd Helton is his favorite Rockies player, and whoever can step up this season to help fulfill Polis’ long-odds prediction of a wild card berth will also earn his acclaim.—
Kyle Newman,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
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