as in to honey
to praise too much
a flunky who shamelessly butters up the boss
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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
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
The producers even included a vegan baker in the mix, a woman who put her cakes without eggs or butter up against those ofher peers without missinga beat.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2021
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
The producers even included a vegan baker in the mix, a woman who put her cakes without eggs or butter up against those ofher peers without missinga beat.
—Kelly Lawler, USA TODAY, 6 Nov. 2021
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
-
After congratulating Malcolm on his accomplishment, Dave provides both of their families with copies of the book where Malcolm’s writing has been featured.Andrés Buenahora, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Many celebrities congratulated the couple on social media.Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The best way to wake a cat involves a gentle approach: try humming, softly calling their name, or lightly stroking them.Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2024
-
Even minimalist gestures look humorously malicious, whether that involves shaving with a popsicle stick or stroking a white seal pup.Peter Debruge, Variety, 27 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
Then, when massaging it onto skin, its shea butter-rich formula creates a protective moisture barrier for a full day’s wear.Kiana Murden, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2024
-
Simply apply the formula to your scalp daily and massage it in to see results in as soon as 90 days, according to the brand.Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 5 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Beats Solo Buds Wireless Earbuds Shoppers praise these Beats buds for their wonderful sound quality, easy connectivity, and long battery life.Shalwah Evans, People.com, 28 Dec. 2024
-
By 1908, he had become known by many Austrians, including Emperor Franz Joseph, who praised Perzy for his ingenuity and gave him a special award as an Austrian toymaker.Erik Trinidad, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
The Hill: The Congressional Black Caucus applauded Biden’s death row clemency.Alexis Simendinger, The Hill, 24 Dec. 2024
-
Space travel enthusiasts have applauded his goal of one day placing a man on Mars.Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
After reminding me of this quote, Grantham commended Prince, kind of.John Cassidy, The New Yorker, 23 Dec. 2024
-
Karlsson’s experience last season was analogous to that of Rob Edwards at Luton Town — although his side were relegated, he was commended for performing so impressively with a club unfamiliar to the top division.Michael Cox, The Athletic, 21 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
This is where the haircut comes in: get yourself a simple, stylish one that flatters your face specifically.Monica Ainley, Vogue, 21 Dec. 2024
-
The black-and-white spliced design creates an elegant look, while the body-hugging knit fabric flatters your figure like never before.Mia Meltzer, Rolling Stone, 17 Dec. 2024
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 31 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share