MASSAGE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

massage

verb

Definition of massage

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 There’s massaging seats with 15 individual air bladders, and a heated windshield that uses a thin metallic coating to remove winter frost without having to rely on climate control. — Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 20 Aug. 2026 And, like Markiplier, Rice then embarks on years of hard work before the film’s release, massaging audience-specific outlets and influencers. — Justine Bateman, SPIN, 19 Aug. 2026 For best results, the brand recommends massaging a dollop into the scalp for two full minutes before rinsing it out. — Isabel Bekele, InStyle, 16 Aug. 2026 For mild nausea, massage a few drops of diluted peppermint oil directly on the stomach. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for massage

Recent Examples of Synonyms for massage

Verb

Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting in the corner contemplating their feelings or hoping someone will stroke their egos.

— Chris Adams, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of stroke

Verb

The scholar of religion Friedrich Max Müller (1823–1900) noticed that many Vedic hymns praise different deities using the same superlatives and ascribe to them the same mythological feats.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
Head coach Willie Simmons praised his team’s athleticism and talent through fall camp, while emphasizing the X’s and O’s with the season opener approaching.

— Alejandro Hernandez, Miami Herald, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Jolly, who’s been campaigning against divisiveness in politics, issued a statement congratulating Avila shortly after Tuesday’s announcement.

— Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026
In the letter, written after Eminem was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Parton congratulated the artist on the honor and praised his performance that night.

— Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

Step 6 Bake cookies, rotating top to bottom and front to back, until edges are golden and firm but centers are still soft and puffed, 8–10 minutes.

— Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Aug. 2026
Wind would blow the trees against the windows and the humidifier would puff and David would deteriorate in his little slice of existence, running out the clock there on the very edge of other people’s real lives.

— Emma Cline, New Yorker, 9 Aug. 2026

Definition of puff

Verb

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
As the lots rolled by, Mosoff watched quietly, still fortified by the exclusive tasting laid on to butter up bidders prior to the action.

— Charlie Campbell, Time, 25 May 2026

Definition of butter up

Verb

Politicians in both parties are distancing themselves from an increasingly unpopular building boom faster than a sycophantic chatbot can flatter its user.

— Editorial Board, Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2026
Multiple reviewers have called out the backside-flattering fit and stretchy material that resists getting baggy after a full day of wear.

— Annie Blackman, InStyle, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of flatter

Browse Nearby Words

massacring

massage

massaged

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“Massage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massage. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of massage

verb

Example Sentences

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