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
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024
Their state leaders can both sweet-talk Democrats into switching parties and pull out numbers showing one good Republican opponent could end a Democrat’s decades of public service.
—Jeffrey Collins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 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
Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Your ability to sweet-talk others might find its limit today.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024
Their state leaders can both sweet-talk Democrats into switching parties and pull out numbers showing one good Republican opponent could end a Democrat’s decades of public service.
—Jeffrey Collins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 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
-
While many developers at the time settled for simple beeps and boops, Williams coaxed naturalistic environmental sounds from the silicon that modern audio designers, working with gigabytes of sampled audio, would still appreciate.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
1 Apr. 2025
-
Nikola Jokic pump-faked from the top of the key, coaxing Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma’s right foot a step too high.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The residual heat will melt the butter and coat the potatoes perfectly.—
Catherine Jessee,
Southern Living,
6 Apr. 2025
-
The space itself is like a dreamy greenhouse perched by the sea—bright, airy, and filled with the scent of butter and espresso.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 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
-
McConaughey shared similar praise for Hudson in an April interview with People.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
14 Mar. 2025
-
Kaye adds to the chorus of praise.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
14 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
And, Margaret, despite being open to negotiations, its decision to opt for defiance, rather than flattery, is a sign China won't back down.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Matty’s imitation is not a form of flattery.—
Noel Murray,
Vulture,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
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
-
Boucher was on the hunt for Abba-Zaba, a chewy taffy bar with a real peanut butter center.—
Jessica Ma,
Sacramento Bee,
20 July 2024
Noun
-
With the Yankees’ season now two weeks old, however, Goldschmidt has earned nothing but acclaim in the early going of his pinstriped career.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Twenty years ago, before all the shiny gold statues, platinum-selling albums, and critical acclaim, John Legend was an upstart singer and pianist, bouncing between Philadelphia and New York trying to get a record deal.—
Marcus J. Moore,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share