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Dictionary.com
Definitions

suck up to

VERB
apple-polish
Synonyms
WEAK
bootlick brown-nose butter up curry favor flatter grovel kiss someone's feet kowtow lick someone's boots sweet-talk toady truckle
VERB
brown-nose
Synonyms
WEAK
apple-polish back-scratch bootlick curry favor fawn on flatter get on the right side of grovel kiss ass scratch one's back toady
VERB
butter up
Synonyms
WEAK
adulate bootlick brown-nose build up cajole flatter inveigle lay it on thick massage play up to soften spread it on stroke sweet-talk work on
VERB
cajole
Synonyms
STRONGEST
deceive delude dupe entice entrap seduce tantalize tempt wheedle
STRONG
banter beguile blandish bootlick con induce influence inveigle jolly lure maneuver mislead oil push snow soap soft-soap soften stroke sweet-talk urge
WEAK
apple-polish argue into brown-nose butter up get around get next to hand a line lay it on thick make up to play up to rub the right way spread it on sweeten up work on work over
Antonyms
STRONG
discourage dissuade
WEAK
bully force
VERB
cultivate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
bolster cherish develop encourage enrich improve nourish promote refine
STRONG
advance ameliorate better civilize court discipline elevate foster further nurse nurture polish train
WEAK
bring on brown-nose butter up get in with get next to get on good side of play up to run after seek friendship shine up to take pains with
Antonyms
STRONGEST
abandon damage decrease hurt
STRONG
condemn halt ignore neglect stop worsen
WEAK
destroy
VERB
curry favor
Synonyms
WEAK
back-scratch bootlick brown-nose cajole court dance attendance on fall all over fawn over flatter kiss up to pay court to sweet-talk toady to win over
VERB
flatter
Synonyms
STRONGEST
charm
STRONG
adulate blandish bootlick cajole con court fawn glorify grovel humor inveigle jolly oil overpraise praise salve sell snow soft-soap soften stroke sweet-talk toady wheedle
WEAK
brown-nose build up butter up cater to get next to lay it on thick play up to rub the right way spread it on sweeten up work on work over
Antonyms
STRONG
condemn ignore
WEAK
belittle castigate criticize denounce insult offend
VERB
grovel
Synonyms
STRONGEST
beseech fawn
STRONG
beg blandish bootlick brown-nose court cower crawl creep cringe crouch flatter humor implore kneel kowtow pamper prostrate revere snivel soft-soap stoop truckle wheedle
WEAK
apple-polish beg for mercy bow and scrape butter up cater to eat crow eat dirt eat humble pie fall all over humble oneself kiss one's feet make much of make up to play up to
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore
WEAK
boast
VERB
pander
Synonyms
STRONG
cajole gratify massage please satisfy snow soap stroke
WEAK
brown-nose fall all over lay it on play the game play up to politic soften up
Antonyms
STRONG
anger annoy disappoint disturb frustrate upset
WEAK
deny dissatisfy refuse
VERB
sweet-talk
Synonyms
STRONG
adulate blandish bootlick cajole charm con court fawn glorify grovel humor inveigle jolly massage oil overpraise praise salve sell soft-soap soften stroke toady wheedle
WEAK
brown-nose build up butter up cater to get next to lay it on thick play up to rub the right way spread it on sweeten up work on work over
Antonyms
STRONG
condemn ignore irritate repel turn off
VERB
toady
Synonyms
STRONG
bootlick cajole flatter kowtow massage oil stroke truckle woo
WEAK
apple-polish be servile brown-nose butter up fall all over fall on one's knees honey up kiss one's feet kiss-up lay it on lick boots pay court play up to scratch one's back
VERB
truckle
Synonyms
STRONG
bootlick cajole flatter grovel kowtow massage oil stroke toady woo
WEAK
apple-polish be servile brown-nose butter up fall all over fall on one's knees honey up kiss one's feet kiss-up lay it on lick boots pay court play up to scratch one's back

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He said in his resignation letter his contributions included investigating why generative AI systems suck up to users, combatting AI-assisted bioterrorism risks and researching "how AI assistants could make us less human".

From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026

He returned it to King Charles II for his coronation, probably to suck up to royal favor again.

From Los Angeles Times • May 3, 2023

“Your job is not to suck up to power, it’s to serve your viewers and readers by getting to the truth,” Mr. Carlson said.

From Washington Times • Mar. 21, 2023

Excuse me for a minute while I suck up to my boss.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 27, 2022

“And he absolutely hates it when musicians suck up to him. Two span ago he threw someone out of here for trying to tip him.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss