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 Venice pressers tend to fall on the warm/adulating side but this was clearly a film with plenty of admirers. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2026 Greenery becomes an artful layer, softening the building and giving it a sense of (literal) grounding that tech-adulating blobitecture often lacks. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026 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

Yet, he was announced as the player of the match in the stadium, is adored and respected by fans and coaches alike at Bournemouth, and his qualities will inevitably bring external transfer interest.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Literary scholars have since described the book as highly sanitized, based largely on the family’s adoring memories, and shaped by the social ideals of Victorian England.

— Vogue, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of adore

Verb

When Reddick won the Daytona 500 in February, NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell and chief operating officer Ben Kennedy were among the first to congratulate Jordan, the trio embracing in a hall outside Jordan’s suite.

— Jordan Bianchi, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
But for now, let’s all giggle at how fully Naheim ignored Bryan when going to congratulate Jude.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of congratulate

Verb

Austrian by birth, celebrated for his artistry with cocktails and worshipped by the most refined drinkers in Europe and America, the man is a legend in the world of luxury.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2026
The latter is embodied by an underground race of telepathic mutants who worship an unexploded nuclear bomb and find themselves in conflict with the apes, as well as the few surviving humans, on the way to a finale that out-tragedies the original.

— Jesse Hassenger, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of worship

Verb

Last week, Lucas praised the team for offering to cover the debt costs, reducing the risk to the city budget.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026
In its reporting, Southern Living magazine praised the fan-favorite destination for its charming downtown and proximity to scenic views.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of praise

Verb

Lamb liked to link play, although City also had plenty of joy down the flanks.

— Rob Tanner, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
As for the journalist, with the anniversary comes reflection on the first responders, those who lost their lives and others who like him, are still living with the consequences.

— Ralphie Aversa, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of like

Verb

The group People Not Politicians Missouri, which sponsored the redistricting referendum, applauded the Supreme Court decisions that left the state court ruling in place.

— DAVID A. LIEB, Arkansas Online, 11 Sep. 2026
When Volpe walked to the plate for his first at-bat, the crowd applauded loudly.

— Brendan Kuty, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of applaud

Verb

All three of our judges commend him for his commanding presence on the dance floor, and Derek even compares him to Patrick Swayze.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
Williams commended Lock on his preparation, which was apparent to plenty of Seattle’s players last Wednesday and long before.

— Andrew Destin, New York Times, 16 Sep. 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 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of adulate

verb

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