as in soft soap
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as in sucking (up to)
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
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Recent Examples of buttering up
Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Verb
The preview for The Muppet Show reveals special guest Sabrina Carpenter buttering up Miss Piggy backstage.
—Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buttering up
Noun
-
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
-
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
-
Once cooked, transfer the meat to a plate and cook your eggs in the residual fat left in the pan instead of butter.—
Alana Al-Hatlani,
Southern Living,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The lobster with garlic butter, parsley, and saffron risotto is mandatory.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
That Bad Bunny gave this song to Martin feels especially moving after the latter wrote a letter this past week praising the former’s Grammys acceptance speech.—
Fran Hoepfner,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Your diplomatic touch can turn an argument into teamwork by praising an idea’s potential, then guiding it toward a less pricey lane.—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Don’t fall for compliments that don’t feel genuine, and don’t be afraid to confront whatever’s beneath someone’s sweet talk.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
23 Sep. 2025
-
The odds are that such sweet talk is going to inevitably run out or at least be intermittent.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
But a talent for massaging egos is the most desirable strength.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Just be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil like coconut or almond oil before massaging it into sore spots.—
Iman Balagam,
Vogue,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
According to Gaiani, drinking or using drugs before social situations is a major sign that your teen may be using alcohol to cope with fawning and to feel more comfortable or confident.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
On Sunday night and into Monday, BAM’s X feed spilled over with reposts commending the account for its largely correct forecasts.—
Brady Brickner-Wood,
New Yorker,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Comments on both videos range from commending this brilliant idea to admitting to leaving the anchor in and patching over it.—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Their friendship has even inspired fans to coin their names as a term of endearment.—
Grace Gavilanes,
PEOPLE,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Certainly, with $313 million being handed out to small screen applicants on November 20, Newsom’s more than doubling of California’s film and TV tax incentive program to $750 million annually earlier this year has deepened the endearment to him in the Hollywood C-suites and among the Guilds.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
1 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Buttering up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buttering%20up. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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