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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of sweet-talk
Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Instead of sweet-talking your way out of a parking ticket, admit your mistake and pay the fine.
—Sarah Vanbuskirk, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
John Benson, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
Cuban boleros, street-corner sweet talk, Mexican songs, Frank Sinatra ballads, and Frankie Laine melodramas . . .
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 4 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Verb
That night, Mel watches in delight as Jack sweet-talks Charmaine’s twins.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 19 Dec. 2024
Instead of sweet-talking your way out of a parking ticket, admit your mistake and pay the fine.
—Sarah Vanbuskirk, Parents, 18 Dec. 2024
Noun
During the ride to the police station, the driver was trying to sweet talk the officer into not arresting him and instead letting his wife pick him up.
—John Benson, cleveland, 12 Sep. 2023
Cuban boleros, street-corner sweet talk, Mexican songs, Frank Sinatra ballads, and Frankie Laine melodramas . . .
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 4 May 2023
See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweet-talk
Verb
-
Learn more about how an infinite complexity of brews is coaxed out of those three simple ingredients by touring a brewery.—
Jessica Kozuka,
Travel + Leisure,
6 July 2025
-
Key moment With the bases loaded and one out in the fourth inning, Gausman coaxed Gustavo Campero into a 1-3 double play.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 July 2025
Noun
-
The dish is finished with a decadent, spicy cream sauce formulated with Calabrian chilis, garlic, butter, white wine, cream and marinara.—
Suzanne Blake,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
-
The rum has aromas of nougat, almond butter, and brown sugar.—
Joseph V Micallef,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Most of the questions aimed at the ironic American director of Raging Bull, Taxi Driver and Goodfellas were less softballs than soft soap, with reporters as interested in Scorsese’s favorite food — his mother’s lasagna recipe — as the movies in his peerless filmography.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Feb. 2024
Noun
-
Bryan, who selected the $100,000 winning envelope, chose to split the prize with Amaya — a decision that earned some praise but also a few critics.—
Amber Corrine,
VIBE.com,
14 July 2025
-
Looking back on Jones' stint as a guest star, Smith had high praise for the musician.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
-
What a torrent of encouragement and loving advice and undeserved flattery over the years!—
John Updike,
New Yorker,
11 July 2025
-
We are primed to value privileged or secret wisdom, vulnerable to flattery and suggestion, and enthusiastic about major leaps forward in scientific potential.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2025
Noun
-
Shop for taffy at Zeno’s Boardwalk Sweet Shop, rent a jet-ski from Fly-N-High Waverunners, or book a deep-sea fishing excursion at Hubbard’s Marina.—
Lydia Mansel,
Southern Living,
27 June 2025
-
Someone is then shot with a harpoon, only to have their guts pulled like taffy from the wound.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
20 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Angélique Kidjo’s four-decade career has been marked by an unapologetic grace and global acclaim, with her 2025 Grammy nomination standing as a testament to the enduring success of authentic African artistry in the professional music world.—
Ime Ekpo,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2025
-
And even that may not enable him to reach his previous level of acclaim.—
Curtis Bunn,
NBC news,
3 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share