love-bombv.
/ˈlʌvbɒm/, U.S. /ˈləvˌbɑm/ transitive. To subject (a person) to an effusive demonstration of approval or affection, esp. as means to gain trust, loyalty, or compliance. Later also in weakened sense: to show (a person or group) intense or effusive solicitude or affection.Originally as a technique used by religious movements: see love bomb n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > flattery or flattering > servile flattery or currying favour > flatter servilely or curry favour with [verb (transitive)]
flatter1340
to claw the back ofc1394
to pick a thank (also thanks)c1422
clawc1425
to claw by the sleeve1509
to claw by the backa1542
fawna1568
to make or pay (one's) court to1590
adulate1612
hug1622
sycophant1637
to make up to1701
to whip it in with1702
cultivate1706
incense1708
to wheedle in with1726
to grandfather up1747
slaver1794
toad1802
to play up to ——1809
nut1819
toady1827
bootlick1846
to suck up to1860
lickspittle1886
jolly1890
bum-suck1918
arse-lick1919
to cosy up to1937
brown-nose1948
ass-kiss1951
ass-lick1962
love-bomb1976
1976 Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) 27 Feb. 17/3 They [sc. members of the Unification Church] could ‘love bomb’ the entire country and then take it over to unify the whole world.
2017 Thetford, Brandon & Watton Times (Nexis) 31 May Senior politicians..couldn't get enough of the place, love-bombing the constituency with visit after visit in the months before the poll.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, September 2020; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
<
v.1976