as in hero-worshiped
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttered up
Verb
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The mood was celebratory, and Jassy congratulated employees on Zoox’s success to date, the person said.—
Salvador Rodriguez,Annie Palmer,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025 -
When the Niners clinched their spot in the coveted game, Brandt congratulated Purdy on the field.—
Alex Gurley,
PEOPLE,
7 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Robby Soave delivers his radar on the reactions to Charlie Kirk's death and the push by conservatives to fire people who have spread misinformation about and applauded his death.—
The Hill,
The Hill,
16 Sep. 2025
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During the In Memoriam segment, the starry audience applauded loudly as Loni Anderson, Michelle Trachtenberg, George Wendt, John Amos and Maggie Smith were honored, and when Ozzy Osbourne, David Lynch and Quincy Jones' names appeared, the applause was particularly loud.—
Julia Moore,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But while these shows have been praised for bringing awareness to the condition, women shouldn't learn about this common health problem from reality TV.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Derek praised the dance as impressive and said that Scott looked comfortable during the side-by-side sections.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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At an intimate reception at the library-like wine bar on Mercer Street, Sanders, a 29-year veteran of Condé Nast, was commended by Anna Wintour.—
Freya Drohan,
Vogue,
10 Sep. 2025
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commended the use of NATO aircraft to intercept Russian drones over Poland after a Wednesday incursion amid an attack on Ukraine.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Next to them, a blond, fit-looking woman, seated alone on a mat with crutches beside her, massaged herself, kneading muscles with her hands and using a scarf to help stretch her legs.—
Sarah Larson,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
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In order to get the best results, apply a small amount to clean, dry skin in the evening, gently massaged in until it’s fully absorbed.—
Celia Shatzman,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The midweight sweater has short and slightly puffed sleeves, a crew neckline, and a warm-weather-friendly cotton blend.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 Sep. 2025
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Like so many institutions before it, the museum could have ignored the students, or puffed up some sort of defense.—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But Rivera stroked into center field to end the game.—
Bill Plunkett,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
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Toronto first got to Junk in the third inning as Nathan Lukes stroked a leadoff double, advanced on Ernie Clement’s flyout and came home on Springer’s RBI single.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
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The whiff of outlawry that came with that title flattered his sense of himself as a Hollywood rebel.—
Peter Biskind,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Sep. 2025
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The president is also royally flattered by exceptional attention and has embraced the grandeur of his office in his second term.—
Jill Lawless,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Buttered up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttered%20up. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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