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
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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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And once again, his mom was first to congratulate him.—
Clare Fisher,
People.com,
18 Mar. 2025
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The monarch, wearing a red tie and an Order of Canada lapel pin, congratulated Carney on his recent victory.—
Rob Gillies,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Once, at a zoo, she and her children had been invited to stroke a boa constrictor.—
Yiyun Li,
The New Yorker,
9 Mar. 2025
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On the ensuing point, Medvedev ended a rally by stroking a two-handed backhand wide, bringing Tien to match point.—
Adam Zagoria,
Forbes,
16 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Step 2: Cleaning and Exfoliation A soothing oil blend of lavender, cypress, cedar wood, and rosemary was massaged on to the scalp to ease the senses and open up the follicles.—
Bianca Salonga,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
-
Apply the product or device in a circular motion, massaging gently for about five minutes.—
Nancy LeBrun,
Verywell Health,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Goswami praised her collaborators but also thanked the AFA academy — and herself.—
Patrick Brzeski,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Mar. 2025
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On the first day of two historically peak spring-break weekends, crowds were minuscule and families praised the quiet streets.—
Devoun Cetoute,
Miami Herald,
15 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Advocates for a death-row inmate in Louisiana have applauded a federal judge's decision to halt his execution using nitrogen gas.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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If this movie plays some small part in destigmatizing middle-aged female sexuality, that’s worth applauding.—
Angie Han,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Following news of her move, members of the MAGA community took to X, formerly Twitter, to commend O'Donnell.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
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That is why the Heat should be commended for not only bringing Seikaly back for Adebayo’s moment, but should be encouraged to make such appearances more than the exception.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
Verb
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This has only improved Musk’s standing with Trump, who both respects great wealth and appears flattered by the notion that the richest man in the world wants to spend his time shadowing him around Washington and Mar-a-Lago.—
Charlie Warzel,
The Atlantic,
12 Mar. 2025
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Price upon publish date of this article: $32 The Best Nude Lipsticks for Different Skin Tones The best nude lipstick is one that flatters your skin tone and undertones.—
Claire Sullivan,
WWD,
28 Feb. 2025
Articles Related to butter up
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
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