to sweet-talk

Examples

• All

• From the moment you sweet-talked your way into my life, you were playing double.

  Give 'em Hell, Malone (2009)

• You always knew how to sweet talk me.

  Accidents Happen (2009)

• Are you sweet talking me?

  Suicide Squad (2016)

• We have to sweet talk them, treat them like kings, and pay them to do their work.

  Blog text (23)

• I'll sweet-talk our way in.

  The Three Stooges (2012)

• "So the bastard had tried to sweet-talk her into giving him the money," Harry thought.

  Fiction book (1997)

• You were supposed to sweet talk 'im, use a little salesmanship!

  Gun Shy (2000)

• Old Roger sweet-talked me into seeing things his way.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Young or old, it didn't matter: he could sweet-talk them all.

  Fiction book (1990)

• He sweet-talked his boss into giving him an extra day off.

Synonyms

T

to talk into

vsto sweet-talk

236 3.0

Make someone agree to do something by giving reasons

relies on flattering smooth talk rather than logical reasons

E

to entice

vsto sweet-talk

61 4.9

To persuade someone to do something by offering something they want

influences by flattering speech rather than offering appealing items

C

to coax

vsto sweet-talk

54 4.1

To gently persuade someone by being kind and patient

uses flattering smooth appealing talk rather than gentle encouragement

K

to kiss up

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

16 7.9

Say nice things to someone to get their help or a reward

relies on smooth persuasive talk rather than obvious servile behavior

C

to cajole

vsto sweet-talk

15 7.7

To persuade someone to do something by gentle talk and praise

uses single smooth flattering speech rather than repeated urging

B

to butter up

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

13 4.2

Say nice things to someone to get what you want

uses milder polished praise rather than heavy obvious flattery

S

to schmooze

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

9 8.6

To talk in a friendly way to make people like you and get an advantage

uses polished flattering persuasion, not just social friendly chatter

W

to wheedle

vsto sweet-talk

5 7.9

To persuade someone by gentle praise or asking nicely

focuses on polished smooth talk rather than subtle repeated coaxing

I

to inveigle

vsto sweet-talk

• Formal

2 9.5

To get someone to do something by flattering or tricking them

is open smooth flattering talk rather than clever sneaky manipulation

T

to toady

vsto sweet-talk

1 9.1

Flatter and obey someone in power to get their favor

uses flattering speech to influence rather than submissive behavior

S

to soft-soap

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

1 7.7

To try to persuade someone by giving false praise

can use flattering language without obvious insincerity

H

to honey

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

1 8.1

To speak very kindly to someone to get something from them

uses smooth appealing talk without heavy affectionate tone

B

to blarney

vsto sweet-talk

9.5

Persuade someone with flattering talk to gain an advantage

is smoother and more polished persuasion rather than playful cajoling

P

to pour honey in someone's ear

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

9.9

Say nice words you do not mean to get something from someone

aims to persuade by appealing talk but not necessarily to deceive

H

to honey up to

vsto sweet-talk

• Informal

8.8

To please someone with too many compliments to get a favor

is general persuasive flattering talk rather than self-serving ingratiation

P

to palaver

vsto sweet-talk

• Archaic

9.9

To get someone to do something by saying nice things

uses smoother polished appeal rather than informal coaxing

Antonyms

O

to offend

524 2.8

Cause a person to feel hurt, upset and angry because of your words or actions

D

to disparage

28 7.7

To speak badly about someone or something to show little respect

How Persuasive

to manipulate

382 6.1

to cajole

15 7.7

to butter up

• Informal

13 4.2

to sweet-talk

• Informal

23 5.3

to flatter

100 3.6

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology