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
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
Warming the milk and butter up first helps to avoid any milk fat white spots on top of your decadent chocolate cake.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024
Griffin isn’t the only big-name boss to try and butter up workers by putting on an unforgettable party.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Ripple’s ongoing efforts to butter up the banking and corporate world have made the company, and by extension XRP, an object of hostility and derision among the rest of the crypto world.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 24 Mar. 2023
At the center: six cinnamon rolls that a candidate alleged had been used to butter up voters during the tight mayoral race in October.
—María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023
Steele storms out, but Sarah stays behind to butter up the AG.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2022
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
Warming the milk and butter up first helps to avoid any milk fat white spots on top of your decadent chocolate cake.
—Melissa Gray, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024
Griffin isn’t the only big-name boss to try and butter up workers by putting on an unforgettable party.
—Byorianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2023
Ripple’s ongoing efforts to butter up the banking and corporate world have made the company, and by extension XRP, an object of hostility and derision among the rest of the crypto world.
—Jeff John Roberts, Fortune Crypto, 24 Mar. 2023
At the center: six cinnamon rolls that a candidate alleged had been used to butter up voters during the tight mayoral race in October.
—María Luisa Paúl, Washington Post, 20 Jan. 2023
Steele storms out, but Sarah stays behind to butter up the AG.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 21 Nov. 2022
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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Residents Dan Lee was among those who congratulated House as well as village clerk and trustee candidates who ran on the Clean House slate.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Apr. 2025
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After the 49ers won the AFC Championship against the Detroit Lions in January 2024, Mindy congratulated her husband in an Instagram reel that featured a montage of herself and their kids on the field.—
Emily Krauser,
People.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The singer announced the news on his Instagram with a video of himself and his newborn daughter, holding his baby girl's hand and sweetly stroking her fingers.—
Kayla Grant,
People.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Looking very Zen and somewhat Gwynn, the slugger stroked three singles in going to right field, center field and left field.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Indian women are taught by their mothers and grandmothers to massage oils into their hair from a young age.—
Sawdah Bhaimiya,
CNBC,
14 Apr. 2025
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Along these meridians are acupressure points that, when massaged in combination with stretching, may release muscular tension, improve circulation, and boost the immune system.—
Kayla Blanton,
Outside Online,
4 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Greene deflected and bashed the Biden administration while praising the Trump administration before circling back to the purpose of the news conference.—
Anthony Robledo,
USA Today,
28 Mar. 2025
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Vintage Year In another vintage year for CPH:FORUM, many industry delegates praised the high quality and variety of projects pitched.—
Annika Pham,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2025
Verb
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When 1,000 fans gathered outside the entrance, the squad lined up to applaud the singing, dancing, cheering, flag-waving and flare-throwing crowd of supporters.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
4 Apr. 2025
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However, reactions to the home have been divided, with some fans applauding Jenner's unique taste and others finding her design choices overwhelming.—
Lee Habeeb,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Pascal commended Kaitlyn Dever, who joined Season 2 as the character Abby.—
Abigail Lee,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2025
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A number of fans and celebrity supporters commended her for speaking out about her faith and promoting prayer.—
Ashley Hume,
Fox News,
24 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In person, however, Henry decided that Holbein’s portrait had flattered its subject too much.—
Meilan Solly,
Smithsonian Magazine,
20 Mar. 2025
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Other Amazon shoppers are taking note, too, because the dress has an impressive 6,000 perfect ratings and 1,200 five-star reviews, with teachers and wedding guests alike sharing how comfy and flattering the dress is to wear to almost any occasion.—
Carly Totten,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
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