Understanding “Adulation”
Adulation – Definition and Part of Speech
Adulation is a noun that describes excessive admiration or praise for someone or something. It often conveys an overzealous or insincere quality to the praise, suggesting a lack of critical evaluation.
Core Synonyms (Table Format)
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laudation | Formal and eloquent praise or commendation. | “The ceremony included lavish laudation of the mayor’s achievements.” | Formal/Concerted, Academic |
| Flattery | Sycophantic or insincere praise to gain favor. | “His flattery was too obvious to be taken seriously.” | Informal/Business |
| Eulogy | Praise often given posthumously, typically in formal speeches. | “The eulogy at the funeral highlighted her lifelong dedication.” | Formal/Academic/Ceremonial |
| Admiration | Respectful regard and high esteem for someone or something. | “Her admiration of classical music led her to pursue a career in opera.” | Informal/Formal, Academic |
| Glorification | Excessive praise that often borders on idolatry. | “The movie was criticized for glorifying historical inaccuracies.” | Formal/Informative |
Usage Notes
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Laudation: Best suited for formal contexts where the emphasis is on eloquent commendation, such as award ceremonies or academic accolades.
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Flattery: Often used in informal contexts to describe praise given with ulterior motives. It implies a degree of insincerity and can be appropriate when discussing manipulative behaviors.
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Eulogy: Used in ceremonial contexts, particularly funerals. While it involves high praise, it carries a solemn undertone due to its association with commemoration after death.
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Admiration: A versatile term used both formally and informally. It generally lacks the excessive or insincere connotations of adulation, making it suitable for genuine expressions of respect.
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Glorification: This term often carries a critical edge, implying that the praise is not just excessive but perhaps misguided. It’s useful in contexts where there’s an implication of distortion of reality.
Contextual Usage:
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In business writing, “flattery” might be used to describe interpersonal dynamics.
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In academic papers, “laudation” fits well when discussing rhetorical analysis or the history of rhetoric.
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For casual speech, “admiration” is a neutral and widely applicable term.
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In creative writing, any of these synonyms can be employed, depending on whether you need to convey sincerity (admiration), formality (laudation), or critique (glorification).
Common Pitfalls
One common mistake with adulation and its synonyms is conflating them with sincere praise. While terms like “admiration” often carry no negative connotations, others such as “flattery” and “glorification” imply insincerity or exaggeration.
It’s also important to distinguish between context-specific uses: “eulogy” should not be used interchangeably with “laudation,” given its specific association with posthumous tributes.
Final Recap
Adulation refers to excessive and often insincere admiration. Synonyms include laudation, which is formal praise; flattery, which implies ulterior motives; eulogy, typically associated with funerals; admiration, which is respectful and sincere; and glorification, which can suggest undue or misguided exaltation.
Understanding the nuances of these terms will enrich your vocabulary, allowing you to express varying degrees and types of praise more precisely. Try using them in sentences tailored to different contexts—perhaps even crafting a short story that includes each synonym in its appropriate setting!