ADULATE Synonyms: 80 Similar and Opposite Words

adulate

verb

Definition of adulate

as in to adore

to love or admire too much it's ridiculous how she adulates that airheaded rock star

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to congratulate

to praise too much a business executive who unwisely surrounds herself with incompetent assistants who spend all their time adulating her

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of adulate Turkey’s TB2s became adulated in Ukraine for striking Russian tanks advancing on Kyiv at the start of that war in early 2022. — Paul Iddon, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulate

Verb

Despite fans of the Gap brand adoring the original Happy Stripe sweater design, many found this new iteration to be lackluster in comparison.

— Elizabeth Grace Coyne, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026
Set in Rome, Kentucky, the first When In Rome book centers Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fanbase.

— Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 23 July 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

Her mother in Kearney, Francesca Gambino Brown, congratulated her on social media last week as Brown prepares for the upcoming football season.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026
The sibling duo, locked in a hug, then headed up through the stands together as others congratulated Yamal on Spain’s win.

— Charlotte Phillipp, PEOPLE, 20 July 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

Ugboaja was released later the same day after intervention from members of Texas’ congressional delegation and public outcry over the detention of a nun wearing her habit on her way to worship.

— Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 24 July 2026
Brazil worship their creative wingers and Palmeiras’ under-20 star Conceicao — nicknamed Dudu — is one of the next great hopes.

— Jordan Campbell, New York Times, 22 July 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

During nine years as Manchester mayor, Burnham was praised standing up to central government on behalf of a proud, battle-scarred northern city that gave birth to the Industrial Revolution, movements for social change and a dynamic music scene.

— ABC News, ABC News, 1 Aug. 2026
He’s been praised openly by his fellow receivers, cornerback Jaycee Horn and head coach Dave Canales over the past few days.

— Mike Kaye July 31, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Across both the 2026 and 2025 studies, participants still liked the spicier versions of each food.

— Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 July 2026
Landscape painters liked the Connecticut River, and Nebel’s mentor, James Earle Fraser, designer of the Buffalo nickel and a lot of other Americana, had settled in Westport, building himself a custom studio.

— Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 30 July 2026

Definition of like

Verb

When Richard applauded one such culinary act of defiance, the man took the opportunity to shoot the king.

— Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
For many the agency has lost its way (unless your public comments serve to restrict gopher tortoises, or applaud bear hunts or cheer for a high-speed roadway carved through conservation lands).

— Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 July 2026

Definition of applaud

Verb

At his first principal assignment, Hammocks Middle, Villalobos was commended for engaging parents, essentially resurrecting the school’s PTSA.

— Austin Horn July 30, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Reactions to Graves’ retirement Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas spoke at the Thursday press conference, commending Graves for her leadership.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 30 July 2026

Definition of commend

Verb

The result is sometimes overpraising, overprotection, and overindulging children, mixing emotional intensity with economic privilege in ways that breed entitlement.

— Christine Michel Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2025
As in the case of that picture, East of Eden is backed up by masterful screen storytelling that can hardly be overpraised and is complicated by no message that can be termed controversial.

— Jack Moffitt, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Mar. 2023

Definition of overpraise

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adscititious

adulate

adulated

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“Adulate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulate. Accessed 2 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of adulate

verb

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