massage

verb

Definition of massagenext
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

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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 Someone from Hästens will come to your bedroom thrice a year to massage, fluff and flip those layers, thereby dispensing with whatever malformations your body may have inflicted upon its perfect design and making everything right in the world again. — Jaklin Romine oct. 15, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026 To cleanse your scalp and encourage growth, the brand recommends covering your roots in the serum and massaging it into the top of your head. — Jacqueline Tempera, InStyle, 15 Oct. 2026 Apply a thin layer of Dijon mustard with your hands, massaging it into the meat. — ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026 The 2027 Silverado gets a broader, more muscular face, a new grille and redesigned LED lighting, while the bodywork has been massaged to make the truck look even more substantial. — New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for massage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage
  1. stroke
  2. praise
  3. congratulate
  4. puff
  5. butter up
  6. flatter
Verb
  • White stroked a 3-pointer and waved his arms over his head to the crowd.
    — Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The young woman on the left strokes her hair and tells her not to be nervous.
    — Anna Griffin, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of stroke
Verb
  • Supporters, including Catholic and Orthodox Jewish school advocates and Democrats for Education Reform, praised the move.
    — Lara Murray-Sterzel, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Global Reach, an advocacy group that works to free Americans detained abroad and currently represents five Americans held in Russia, praised the release but called for the other prisoners to come home as well.
    — Dasha Litvinova, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Definition of praise
Verb
  • Leaders from across Latin America largely congratulated Lula's historic win.
    — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The president of the Senate, Davi Alcolumbre, and the the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta—both from center-right parties—congratulated Lula and declared the election valid.
    — Chiara Pizzimenti, Vanity Fair, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of congratulate
Verb
  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the borders are puffed and deeply golden and the pastry is browned underneath.
    — Monti Carlo, AJC.com, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Hutch sat with his back against the palm, eyes puffed and closed.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of puff
Verb
  • Yet, this will take a great deal of finesse, including pushing through a bill in parliament by buttering up Lord Hawthorne (Hugh Bonneville), who is willing to trade his vote for a night out with Susie’s brother, Jack (Harry Goodwins).
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026
  • These packages, which often run into thousands of dollars, attract many celebrities and corporate buyers who see the Games as a chance to butter up clients or reward top performers.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of butter up
Verb
  • The network’s coverage has also not been unilaterally flattering to Israel.
    — semafor.com, semafor.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • The star was spotted out in New York City wearing a–wait for it–Canadian Tuxedo that included medium-wash wide-leg jeans with a butt-flattering fit.
    — Eva Thomas, InStyle, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of flatter

Browse Nearby Words

massacring
massage
massaged
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about massage

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