massaged

verb

past tense of massage
as in stroked
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 massaged Words have been parsed over, ideas about location, production design, costume, lighting have all been carefully massaged even up to the day of photography. — Rachel Elspeth Gross, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Deirdre massaged my limbs while the cups went to work on my perpetually achy upper back. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 July 2026 It's massaged into place before the incision is then stitched up. — Hedy Phillips, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 While this is all occurring on your scalp and hair, your body is on a heated bed, and your body is getting massaged. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2026 Does all kale need to be massaged? — Zoe Denenberg, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2026 Davidson said four staff members massaged about two gallons of canola oil onto Elmer for seven hours while feeding him occasionally. — Yi-Jin Yu, ABC News, 16 Apr. 2026 If previous records massaged her hedonism into silky, professional-grade pop, the sound on WOR$T GIRL is all sinew and scrap metal, a leaner and meaner vehicle for acting out. — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 2 Apr. 2026 The main specific risk is the potential for nodules or granulomas (small bumps) forming under the skin, especially if improperly placed or massaged. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 5 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for massaged
  1. stroked
  2. commended
  3. praised
  4. applauded
  5. congratulated
Verb
  • But Kim stroked a walk-off single into left field in the ninth inning off Dodgers reliever Tanner Scott to give the Atlanta Braves a 6-5 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night.
    — Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Afterwards, as Cheogyal puts it, the spiritual leader stroked his head with compassion.
    — CNN Money, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of stroked
Verb
  • The music department, as well as Courcol’s lively directing and writing, must be commended for scenes of the brass ensemble playing and rehearsing, in a constantly dynamic interaction with dialogue.
    — Caspar Salmon, Variety, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Lyne commended the Chicago actor specifically for a scene partway into the movie, when Lane’s Connie is deep into her affair but Gere’s Edward only has vague suspicions.
    — Rance Collins, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of commended
Verb
  • Conor Fitzpatrick, an attorney with the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, which brought the lawsuit, praised the ruling.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The girls’ mother, Stephanie Soares, praised Legaspi and Feir for helping to motivate her daughters, as Naya has adjusted to using her prosthetic foot and Milayna has spent time outside of her wheelchair for the first time in her life.
    — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of praised
Verb
  • The transformation of the Madison plant was also applauded by the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners and Madison Mayor William Phillips.
    — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 25 Aug. 2026
  • His return was widely applauded by fans years after he was dropped for reasons that were never publicly explained either to him or to viewers.
    — Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of applauded
Verb
  • In a statement sent to Variety in March, Parton congratulated Cyrus on the anniversary special.
    — Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026
  • In the comments, fans congratulated Aly on her Broadway debut while others shared their disappointment over not being able to see the duo live.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of congratulated

Browse Nearby Words

massage
massaged
massage parlor
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Cite this Entry

“Massaged.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/massaged. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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