extol

verb

ex·​tol ik-ˈstōl How to pronounce extol (audio)
variants or less commonly extoll
extolled; extolling

transitive verb

: to praise highly : glorify
extoller noun
extolment noun

Examples of extol in a Sentence

The health benefits of exercise are widely extolled. campaign literature extolling the candidate's military record
Recent Examples on the Web Because the American right was so quick to extol foreign dictators in hyperbolic terms, its members were frequently treated like suckers by those regimes. Franklin Foer, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2024 On social media and blogs, influencers swipe at American gluttony and extol the virtues of a life with less carbon and clutter than the standard two-car suburb. Conor Dougherty, New York Times, 17 Feb. 2024 Part travelogue, part spiritual memoir and part scientific catalog, Travels extols Bartram’s belief in nature’s interconnectedness—and the preciousness of all its creatures. Kiley Bense, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2024 Newsom could have just appointed Butler, or another Black woman, and extol his selection based on her merits. Erika D. Smith, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2023 Some tech executives extol the virtues of drugs like Ketamine and LSD as a means to break down barriers in their minds, according to the Journal. Luisa Beltran, Fortune, 12 Jan. 2024 Testimonies and activities extol values like rational thinking and materialist philosophies, which promote the idea that only physical matter exists. CBS News, 11 Jan. 2024 Retailers such as Kohl’s, Nike, North Face, PetSmart and Walmart also have faced ire for stocking items that extol equal rights and acceptance for gay, lesbian and transgender individuals. Jaclyn Peiser, Washington Post, 12 June 2023 The hotel is always fodder for lively internet guest reviews, many of which are quick to extol its convenience while warning that no one should expect the Ritz. Paul Schwartzman, Washington Post, 11 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'extol.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin extollere, from ex- + tollere to lift up — more at tolerate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of extol was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near extol

Cite this Entry

“Extol.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/extol. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

extol

verb
ex·​tol
variants also extoll
extolled; extolling
: to praise highly
extoller noun
extolment noun

More from Merriam-Webster on extol

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