praise

1 of 3

verb

ˈprāz 

praised; praising

transitive verb

1

: to express a favorable judgment of : commend

Critics praised the film as a triumph.

2

: to glorify (a god or saint) especially by the attribution of perfections

intransitive verb

: to express praise

praiser noun

praise

2 of 3

noun (1)

1

a

: an expression of approval : commendation

deserves praise for the work

I have nothing but praise for the hospital staff.

The critics sang her praises for the performance.

b

: worship

2

a

: value, merit

b

archaic : one that is praised

see also:

damn with faint praise

praiser

3 of 3

noun (2)

prais·​er

-zə(r)

plural -s

: one that praises: such as

a

obsolete : appraiser

b

: lauder , eulogist

c

: worshiper

Synonyms of praise

Verb

• celebrate
• bless

Examples of praise in a Sentence

Verb

Critics praised her as both an actor and director.

A good teacher praises students when they do well.

We praise God for your safe arrival.

People gather in churches to praise the Lord.

Noun (1)

He deserves praise for the way he's handled this crisis.

“Good job” is high praise coming from her. She rarely compliments anyone's work.

I have nothing but praise for the hospital staff.

People gathered in the church to sing praises to the Lord.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Jonathan Cohen, who leads gambling policy at the American Institute for Boys and Men, praised these moves but said their impact may be limited, pointing to data from state regulators showing that few gamblers utilize similar tools on sportsbooks. — Marshall Cohen, CNN Money, 30 Sep. 2026

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also praised the passengers who stepped up and noted in his statement that investigation is still ongoing. — ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026

Noun

Research has shown that sincere praise can sometimes have social rewards. — Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Aldermen gave initial approval Thursday to the sale of Chicago’s infamously privatized parking meter system from one owner to another, but not before praise for new perks met concerns that the city is once again getting a subpar deal. — Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English preisen, from Anglo-French preiser, priser to appraise, esteem — more at prize

Noun (2)

Middle English preiser, praiser, from preisen, praisen to praise + -er

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing praise

• damn with faint praise
• in praise of
• nothing but praise
• praise be
• praise be to God
• praise (someone or something) to the skies
• self-praise

Rhymes for praise

• baize
• bays
• blase
• blaze
• braes
• braze
• chaise
• claes
• clays
• craze
• dais
• days

Kids Definition

praise

verb

ˈprāz

praised; praising

1

: to express approval of : commend

2

: to glorify (a god or a saint) especially in song

praise noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English preisen "to praise," from early French preisier, priser "to praise, prize," from Latin pretiare "to prize," from earlier pretium (noun) "price, money" — related to price