as in to honey
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 butter up
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
But why was butter up 6% in March, while milk rose only 1.3%?
—Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 13 Apr. 2022
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
But why was butter up 6% in March, while milk rose only 1.3%?
—Danielle Wiener-Bronner, CNN, 13 Apr. 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
-
While the stadium hardly reacted to Hopkins' touchdown, the Eagles players and staff on the sidelines (and the fans in the stands) were already congratulating each other with high fives and hugs.—
Alex Ross,
People.com,
11 Feb. 2025
-
Imagine receiving a message from your supervisor congratulating you on your recent promotion.—
Andrew Brodsky,
TIME,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The team demonstrated the robotic arm both gently stroking an egg (without the HeTRM) and cracking the shell (with the HeTRM).—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
29 Jan. 2025
-
In the video, Linn holds Willow in her arms, scratches behind his ears and strokes his face.—
Barbara A. Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Jan. 2025
Verb
-
The package will include a 60-minute couples massage with a choice of a complimentary enhancement, such as aromatherapy, hand & foot massage or a scalp massage.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Do not massage shampoo into the whole length of your hair, as this can lead to dryness and frizziness.—
Sohaib Imtiaz,
Verywell Health,
12 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Zach Seidl, a spokesperson for Bass, praised Soboroff’s lengthy record in the city, working to develop Playa Vista, bringing Staples Center — now Crypto.com Arena — to downtown and serving on the Board of Police Commissioners.—
Julia Wick,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Feb. 2025
-
In between awards at the Friday, Feb. 7 ceremony in Los Angeles, host Handler, 49, stood next to Fiennes' table and began praising Nicole Kidman's 2024 erotic thriller Babygirl.—
Tommy McArdle,
People.com,
8 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Others in the neighborhood applauded Caruso’s involvement.—
David Zahniser,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Feb. 2025
-
Children’s Health Defense, the anti-vaccine group that Kennedy founded, applauded his confirmation on Thursday.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC News,
13 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Patrick Mahomes commended his wife's influence Sept. 11 when asked about Trump's comments about her.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
6 Feb. 2025
-
Duffy commended the work of Philadelphia officials and first responders, in addition to the NTSB and FAA investigators.—
Rebecca Cohen,
NBC News,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
As for the Musk-AfD alliance, Quent thinks they are flattered by his interest and are seizing an opportunity.—
Sebastian Shukla,
CNN,
1 Feb. 2025
-
We’re generally flattered when Hollywood decides to highlight the South on the silver screen.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
14 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to butter up
Thesaurus Entries Near butter up
Cite this Entry
“Butter up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/butter%20up. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share