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
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
Next, coat the bottom of a casserole dish with butter, place the potatoes in, and pat more butter up on top.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 23 Nov. 2021
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
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
Next, coat the bottom of a casserole dish with butter, place the potatoes in, and pat more butter up on top.
—Dave Quinn, PEOPLE.com, 23 Nov. 2021
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
-
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
-
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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An inning earlier, Contreras stroked an RBI double to left for his first hit of the season to score Masyn Winn, and Lars Nootbaar scored on shortstop Nicky Lopez’s errant throw to tie the game at 5-all.—
Iliana Limón Romero,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Apr. 2025
-
The Gators managed to get runners on the base in the fifth when second baseman Mia Williams stroked a single down the left-field line to open the inning.—
Matt Murschel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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The brand recommends massaging this tool into the skin a couple of times a week to calm inflammation and soften fine lines.—
Annie Blackman,
Allure,
3 Apr. 2025
-
Use your fingers to massage the zest into the sugar to bring out the oils in the lemon zest.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Participants frequently praise Finland’s egalitarian business culture and efficient decision-making processes.—
Jessica Mendoza,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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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
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
-
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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To this day, Dylan is flattered by the show's impact on a generation of fans.—
Skyler Trepel,
EW.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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The rest of the brand’s jeans feature flattering fits, too, and every pair nods at trends without leaning too far into micro-trends.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
6 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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