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
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 massage
Rowin often massages Brandon's stomach to check for gas or blockages that can lead to illness or injury.
—
Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
Every single person who worked on the film caressed and massaged this sequence, including through post.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 July 2025
Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
The fast-absorbing oil can be massaged onto damp skin post-shower, or drop it into the bath for a fragrant, skin-nourishing soak.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Scott Craven, AZCentral.com, 10 July 2025
Every single person who worked on the film caressed and massaged this sequence, including through post.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 5 July 2025
Use firm pressure on the cramping muscles and massage them gently.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
The fast-absorbing oil can be massaged onto damp skin post-shower, or drop it into the bath for a fragrant, skin-nourishing soak.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
Verb
-
Fontenot kicks off a heated exchange by declaring that women who want to snag a high-value man should shrink themselves to flatter his masculinity.—
Zak Cheney-Rice,
Vulture,
15 July 2025
-
Richard Gere’s Julian is haunted by his image, trapped in the very aesthetic that flatters him.—
arkansasonline.com,
arkansasonline.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
Nineteen seconds later, her pass from below the basket went out to Collier, who calmly stroked another trey for a 12-point cushion.—
Mike Cook,
Twin Cities,
15 July 2025
-
In the back booth of his local dive bar, Alex G strokes his beard and gazes mistily to his left, where a second bar television is playing the same game show but with a slimy purplish-green cast to the screen.—
Anna Gaca,
Pitchfork,
14 July 2025
Verb
-
Wiegman generally hates talking about individual players, but goes out of her way to praise Bronze’s competitive spirit.—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
The tour has broken records, including the highest single-venue gross by a woman, and has been praised for its cultural commentary and blend of musical genres.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
25 July 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Images of toadies buttering up an emperor come to mind.—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
11 July 2025
Verb
-
Catcher Connor Wong #12 of the Boston Red Sox congratulates Aroldis Chapman #44 after their 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park on July 13, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts.—
Zach Pressnell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 July 2025
-
Friends star Courteney Cox and her boyfriend, singer Johnny McDaid, congratulated Iga Świątek after her Women’s Singles win on Saturday at Wimbledon.—
Tim Lammers,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Verb
-
Electrolytes that transport electrons can decompose into flammable gases and puff up your battery into a spicy little pillow, for example.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
11 July 2025
-
Cover with plastic wrap or a kitchen towel and let rest at warm room temperature until puffed and slightly risen, 30-40 minutes.—
Gretchen McKay,
Boston Herald,
11 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share