as in to coax
to get (someone) to do something by gentle urging, special attention, or flattery
she can sweet-talk her besotted boyfriend into just about anything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in butter
excessive praise
enough of this sweet talk—just give me your honest opinion of my performance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of sweet-talk
Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Then, after Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, in mid-August, a group of European leaders, including Zelensky, flocked to Washington in a collective effort to sweet-talk Trump.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
When things aren’t working on a practical level, though, no amount of sweet talk can cover that up.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Verb
Forget the old myths about dressing up or sweet-talking your way to the front.
—Alesandra Dubin, Southern Living, 28 Dec. 2025
Then, after Trump rolled out the red carpet for Russian President Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, in mid-August, a group of European leaders, including Zelensky, flocked to Washington in a collective effort to sweet-talk Trump.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2025
Noun
Just in case that gave Reba a leg up, don't let her sweet talk you.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 28 Feb. 2024
When things aren’t working on a practical level, though, no amount of sweet talk can cover that up.
—Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 5 Feb. 2024
See All Example Sentences for sweet-talk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sweet-talk
Verb
-
Emery had been incessant in wanting shorter, faster balls from his deeper players, with Villa’s best opportunity of the afternoon stemming from brave passing in combination in the first half, coaxing Fulham onto them before John McGinn whipped a ball into the space behind.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
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The truest equivalency for this, around here, was Dave Checketts hiring Pat Riley, coaxing him out of retirement and bringing him to New York to coach the Knicks.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
In a very large mixing bowl, beat butter and shortening with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds.—
Sarah Martens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 May 2026
-
Examples include fruit with Greek yogurt, toast with nut butter, and an apple and string cheese.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
Practical self-care items such as thick lotions, face masks and soft soaps that don’t irritate skin. Pragmatic.—
Ellen T. Meiser,
The Conversation,
5 Dec. 2025
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People should wash any skin that comes into contact with the slurry with water and soft soap, before using a hand cream to avoid dryness and cracking.—
Lauren Penington,
The Denver Post,
2 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Onyemata was one of the free-agent signings the Jets got the most praise for — a rock-solid veteran defensive tackle who can help in both the run and pass game.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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Snitker received further praise when he was shown on the jumbotron before the bottom of the fourth inning.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After the initial flattery, the tone shifts to isolating phrases.—
Kathy and Ross Petrass,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Our actual political landscape, in which government officials are adding journalists to top-secret group chats or running around in wrong-sized shoes as a form of flattery, has too far superseded anything even the most cutting jokester could ever have dreamed up.—
Angie Han,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her lyrics were as interested in the sound of language as the meaning, stretching words like taffy and ping-ponging syllables around.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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Under the new restrictions, products like candy bars, gum and taffy can no longer be purchased with SNAP benefits.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Shortly after the final whistle blew in Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Leeds United, the players went over to take the acclaim from their supporters.—
Simon Johnson,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The groundbreaking comedy-variety series ran for 11 seasons, earning widespread acclaim along the way.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sweet-talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sweet-talk. Accessed 4 May. 2026.
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