as in to honey
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
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Recent Examples of butter up
Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Enter Rutte, who knew Trump from his time as Prime Minister, and who got to work buttering up the American president.
—Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images Anderson, currently a free agent, could be buttering up the Commanders to get a contract offer, but there is some truth to his statement.
—Victor Williams, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Add butter and pulse in or use a fork to break butter up into pea-size pieces.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Zelensky isn’t alone among prominent Ukrainians in trying to butter up Trump.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 21 July 2025
Enter Rutte, who knew Trump from his time as Prime Minister, and who got to work buttering up the American president.
—Tom Nagorski, Time, 18 July 2025
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.
—Bill Goodykoontz, AZCentral.com, 11 July 2025
Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images Anderson, currently a free agent, could be buttering up the Commanders to get a contract offer, but there is some truth to his statement.
—Victor Williams, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Add butter and pulse in or use a fork to break butter up into pea-size pieces.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
In contrast, Tai — who eventually becomes a powerful lawyer as an adult — often relies on buttering up her witnesses and using courtroom theatrics to get her point across.
—Erin Qualey, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Zelensky isn’t alone among prominent Ukrainians in trying to butter up Trump.
—Sophie Tanno, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for butter up
Verb
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Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
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Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.—
Selene Yeager,
Health,
24 Feb. 2024
Verb
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Instead, coaches are gently correcting or congratulating Ewers.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
30 July 2025
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Council President Joe LaCava congratulated McClurg on her retirement from a 38-year career in public education, the last 16 years spent in the Del Mar district, where all nine schools are geographically in the city of San Diego.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
Verb
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The Marlins jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning Tuesday when Otto Lopez stroked a two-out single and scored on a throwing error after Ramírez’s infield single.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
23 July 2025
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Nineteen seconds later, her pass from below the basket went out to Collier, who calmly stroked another trey for a 12-point cushion.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Add 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil and massage the kale well with your hands.—
Kate Bradshaw,
Mercury News,
25 July 2025
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The caffeine helps tighten and de-puff, while vitamin C-rich botanicals brighten over time, so don’t forget to massage it in for maximum skincare benefits.—
Marie Lodi,
Allure,
16 July 2025
Verb
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Wiegman generally hates talking about individual players, but goes out of her way to praise Bronze’s competitive spirit.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
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But since negotiating the Paramount-Skydance merger, Ellison was spotted sitting near Trump at a UFC event earlier this year, and Trump has praised Ellison’s takeover of Paramount.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Verb
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The fact that Arab countries are unified on that, and the measured approach taken by Arab and European countries should be applauded, not dismissed.—
Faisal J. Abbas,
semafor.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Harvard graduate students applaud during the 374th Harvard Commencement in Harvard Yard in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on May 29, 2025.—
Dan Gooding,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Scott commended the efforts of bystanders, many of whom stepped in to help injured strangers.—
Rebekah Riess,
CNN Money,
20 July 2025
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In commending the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, the Holy Father prays for the consolation of those who grieve and for the recovery of the injured.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 July 2025
Verb
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This is open, flattering the pint-sized dimensions, and generous glazing fills the interior with daylight.—
Adam Williams
July 29,
New Atlas,
29 July 2025
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But for now this much seems clear: Ukraine will get more U.S. weapons, and NATO will get more robust American support, because a pair of world leaders were good students of how best to flatter the American president.—
Tom Nagorski,
Time,
18 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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