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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Although the Angels won, 6-2, on Friday night, the Astros worked Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi hard enough to get him out of the game after just 4⅓ innings, which left the Angels with 4⅔ innings to coax from the bullpen.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
29 Mar. 2026
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An excavator was used on Thursday to dig an escape channel after earlier unsuccessful efforts to coax the whale back toward deeper water, including using coast guard and fire department boats to create large waves.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Conditioning ingredients like provitamin B5 and mango butter help lashes feel soft and flexible.—
Lily Wohlner,
Allure,
28 Mar. 2026
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Now the pair are filling the former Slab space with trout that swims in chive beurre blanc; burgers crowned with a range of French cheeses; and expertly made baguettes that receive smears of butter d’Isigny.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 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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That’s high praise from one who has coached four Hall of Famers and several more who are destined to be so, but this team broke an eight-year championship drought last season and, despite the loss of superstar Paige Bueckers, didn’t skip a beat this year.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
30 Mar. 2026
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To receive that type of praise meant a lot to Miles and only added to her eagerness to finally face one of the greatest coaches in the game.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Imitation, of course, is the sincerest form of flattery.—
Rachel Chang,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Mar. 2026
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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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Over the last 40 years, their lives and careers all took divergent paths marked by innovation, acclaim, and infamy.—
Marisa Meltzer,
Vanity Fair,
27 Mar. 2026
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Following successful tenures at Lacoste and Carven, her Bottega Veneta debut arrived to strong acclaim—and, to no one’s surprise, full shopping carts.—
Laura Jackson,
Vogue,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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