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
Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images Anderson, currently a free agent, could be buttering up the Commanders to get a contract offer, but there is some truth to his statement.
—
Victor Williams, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Add butter and pulse in or use a fork to break butter up into pea-size pieces.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 21 May 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
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
Victor Williams, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Add butter and pulse in or use a fork to break butter up into pea-size pieces.
—Mary Ann Esposito, Boston Herald, 21 May 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
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
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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Catcher Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox congratulates Aroldis Chapman #44 after their 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
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Friends star Courteney Cox and her boyfriend, singer Johnny McDaid, congratulated Iga Świątek after her Women’s Singles win on Saturday at Wimbledon.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Facing two strikes, Ramírez stroked a single off reliever Jared Koenig into left field, bringing home two runs.—
Steve Gorten,
Miami Herald,
6 July 2025
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In central Gaza, a boy stroked the face of his dead sister, 6-year-old Heba Abu Etiwi, in a morgue at Al Aqsa Martyrs’ Hospital.—
Melanie Lidman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 July 2025
Verb
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The fast-absorbing oil can be massaged onto damp skin post-shower, or drop it into the bath for a fragrant, skin-nourishing soak.—
Jenny Berg,
Vogue,
28 June 2025
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Standard features include heated, ventilated and massaging front seats, with the usual upgrades – but none truly groundbreaking – available.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
26 June 2025
Verb
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In between all of that, Trump spoke to DAZN’s Emily Austin and praised FIFA president Gianni Infantino for putting the Club World Cup together in the U.S. one year before the World Cup takes place in North America.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
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Nvidia’s Jensen Huang should be praised for traveling to China this week in pursuit of expansion in what is a crucial market for all manner of blue-chip U.S. companies.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Centre Court applauded the No 1 seed for her quick reaction.—
Leon Imber,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
-
Davies then applauded the work that was done last year following a deadly multiple 18-wheeler accident on Interstate 40 in Monroe County.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
9 July 2025
Verb
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These entries, commended by the judges, feature colorful auroras, dazzling solar prominences, glowing galaxies and nebulas and breathtaking skyscapes.—
Carlyn Kranking,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 July 2025
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Kennedy commended major food manufacturers that have pledged to take artificial coloring out of their foods.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Jonathan Cake in And Just Like That Season 3, Episode 7 Craig Blankenhorn—HBO Max Now, maybe Duncan is trying to flatter his way into Carrie’s conveniently nearby bed.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
11 July 2025
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In more challenging games, however, the side often flatters to deceive and occasionally slips up, as a narrow 2-1 victory over Boca Juniors and 0-1 loss to Benfica showed.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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