as in to flatter
to praise too much
a candidate who knows that you have to massage the voters if you want to get elected
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of massage
On wash days, apply to wet hair and gently massage into the scalp using your fingertips (not nails), focusing on the roots rather than the lengths.
—
Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Part your hair in sections and dispense the product along the scalp, then massage it in for 30 to 60 seconds to help boost absorption and stimulate circulation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
Exercise of all kinds is also effective at stimulating the skin and muscles in a way that is similar to massage, Field said.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
His physiotherapist’s hands gently massage the back of his neck and the base of his jaw, searching for the vagus nerve.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Amanda Le, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
Part your hair in sections and dispense the product along the scalp, then massage it in for 30 to 60 seconds to help boost absorption and stimulate circulation.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 24 Feb. 2026
Exercise of all kinds is also effective at stimulating the skin and muscles in a way that is similar to massage, Field said.
—The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Feb. 2026
His physiotherapist’s hands gently massage the back of his neck and the base of his jaw, searching for the vagus nerve.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
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Of the 2,400 who participated in the study, mostly preferred being flattered.—
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez,
Fortune,
31 Mar. 2026
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The present profit forecasts are being flattered by surging estimates for semiconductor and energy companies without yet reflecting any frictional effects of the massive jump in energy, chemical and shipping costs, nor the unhelpful rise in Treasury yields toward the top of their one-year range.—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
30 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At first, Hanke thought Miyabi was just stroking his ego.—
Lucia Cheng,
Des Moines Register,
25 Mar. 2026
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Davidson, a 6-foot-1 freshman, stroked a perfect shot from the right side to send the Trojans (18-13) into a second-round matchup with top seed South Carolina on Monday.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
21 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Chief of Police Christopher Cook praised the collaborative effort and said the case required extensive investigation, strong partnerships and quick work by the department's investigative team.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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Quercus in Gay, Georgia, was awarded Best New Hotel Design 2026 by Tablet Hotels, praised for its distinctive blend of regenerative farming and 3,800 acres of forest and pasture.—
Olivia Wakim,
AJC.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some buttering up in your prompt can likely produce this.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Enter Rutte, who knew Trump from his time as Prime Minister, and who got to work buttering up the American president.—
Tom Nagorski,
Time,
18 July 2025
Verb
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In a statement on Monday, Johnson congratulated King on landing the gig.—
Sabrina Franza,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
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Tiafoe has been one of Baptiste’s biggest fans and congratulates her often on social media.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Bake on the middle rack of the heated oven until the top is puffed and lightly golden and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.—
Georgeanne Brennan,
Mercury News,
26 Mar. 2026
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In the final days of their season, Tigers players both slammed bats and puffed victory cigars.—
Cody Stavenhagen,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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