schmoozed
Made small talk
Schmoozed is the past tense of schmooze, a verb borrowed from Yiddish that means to chat in a friendly, often ingratiating way, typically to gain favor or make useful connections.
The word carries connotations of social maneuvering dressed up as casual conversation.
She schmoozed with executives at the party and landed three new clients.
Someone who schmoozed their way into a position got there through charm and networking rather than formal channels.
People you know professionally
- connectionsRelationships between things
- minglingCasual social interaction
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
circulating · introductions · handshakes · cultivating · glad-handing · hobnobbing · connected · influential
Informal verbal exchange
- minglingCasual social interaction
- partyGathering for celebration
- cocktailsAlcoholic blended beverages
- receptionAct of receiving guests
gathering · small-talk · banter · chit-chat · conversing · gabbing · circulating · soiree
Smoothly refined in manner
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
glib · urbane · charismatic · disarming · winning · engaging · affable · personable
Flatter to persuade
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- ingratiationDeliberate favor-seeking behavior
- sycophancyObsequious behavior toward authority
- fawningExcessive insincere flattery
brownnosing · apple-polishing · bootlicking · cajolery · obsequious · unctuous · smarmy · insincere
contacts
People you know professionally
- connectionsRelationships between things
- minglingCasual social interaction
- rapportHarmonious mutual connection
professional · circulating · introductions · handshakes · cultivating · glad-handing · hobnobbing · connected · influential · insider
chatting
Informal verbal exchange
reception · gathering · small-talk · banter · chit-chat · conversing · gabbing · circulating · soiree · mixer
suave
Smoothly refined in manner
- debonairSophisticated and carefree
- smoothWithout roughness or difficulty
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
slick · glib · urbane · charismatic · disarming · winning · engaging · affable · personable · silver-tongued
sweet-talk
Flatter to persuade
- complimentsExpressions of admiration
- ingratiationDeliberate favor-seeking behavior
- sycophancyObsequious behavior toward authority
fawning · brownnosing · apple-polishing · bootlicking · cajolery · obsequious · unctuous · smarmy · insincere · toadying
influence
Power to affect others
lobby · cajole · wheedle · buttering · manipulate · finagle · wangle · pitch · sell
- fawnedgroveled, kowtowed, toadied, flattered, curried favor
schmoozedavoided
Deliberately stayed away from
shunned · ignored · snubbed · rebuffed · cold-shouldered
schmoozedinsulted
Offended by disrespect
offended · alienated · antagonized · criticized · confronted