sweeten up

phrasal verb

sweetened up; sweetening up; sweetens up

informal

: to be very nice to (someone) in order to get something

He's been trying to sweeten his mother up so she'll lend him the car.

Examples of sweeten up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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.

This local bakery is the place to go for a grab-and-go meal that can easily be toted to the beach, or for a decadent dessert to sweeten up your day. —

Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025 Venus enters Sagittarius that same day, sweetening up your 10th house of authority, career and public persona. —

Valerie Mesa, People.com, 1 Oct. 2024 This pretty purple drink had a string hibiscus flavor that was sweetened up by fresh lemon juice, topped with a violet orchid. —

Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 June 2024 The Girl Scouts and IHOP are sweetening up the month of March. —

Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 These pastel desserts will sweeten up any Easter celebration. —

Patricia S York, Southern Living, 30 Jan. 2024 And just in time to sweeten up the winter season, the latest look is taking over—meet cherry mocha. —

Abby Wilson, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Jan. 2024 Kim Kardashian is ready to sweeten up your V-Day look with her sexiest, most erotic — and possibly her yummiest — design yet. —

Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 18 Jan. 2024 To sweeten up the meal, try adding a honey drizzle to one of our favorite cornbread recipes. —

Julia Levy, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2023