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adulation

noun

ˌa-jə-ˈlā-shən How to pronounce adulation (audio)
Definition of adulationnext
1
as in adoration
excessive admiration of or devotion to a person the pathetic adulation of the leader of the cult by her misguided followers

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in praise
excessive praise more objective critics have observed that the artist never deserved the adulation heaped upon her mediocre paintings

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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 adulation The people standing included A-list Hollywood stars and world leaders, all giving the Prince and Princess of Wales a very public show of respect and adulation. — Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 July 2026 Each member derives her own realizations from this experience, with its dual crucibles of grindingly hard work and pop adulation. — Elizabeth Gulino, Allure, 25 June 2026 Trump seemed to enjoy the adulation. — Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 15 June 2026 In a way that no championship trophy ever could, Kirby Smart has an opportunity to take action that would bring him undying respect and adulation. — Ken Sugiura, AJC.com, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for adulation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adulation
  1. adoration
  2. praise
  3. worship
  4. acclaim
  5. worshipping
  6. flattery
Noun
  • And yet, when Szumowska and Englert portray Fyodor’s reaction to the couple’s pregnancy, the birth of their child, and a subsequent tragedy, Anna’s adoration for this utterly flawed man almost feels justified.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • So, too, do the antics of his estate manager (a buoyant Sam Adegoke), always concocting money-making schemes, and the wide-eyed adoration of the girl next door (Amelia Mason, deftly balancing naïveté with seductiveness), who wants to save him.
    — Rhoda Feng, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of adoration
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
Definition of praise
Noun
  • The defense told jurors prosecutors are relying on the salacious affair to prove its case, arguing the decision to charge the former worship leader stemmed from a flawed investigation, rush to judgment and lack of direct evidence.
    — Nicki Brown, CNN Money, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The 14 participating houses of worship span from Miami Shores to West Perrine and include a variety of denominations including Episcopal churches, United Methodist churches, one mosque and a handful of other Christian churches.
    — Lauren Costantino, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of worship
Noun
  • As box office momentum, new creator pipelines and evolving business models collide with critical acclaim, industry buzz and Oscar ambition, what does commercial success mean for a film’s awards prospects now?
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The movies occupy a strange cultural position, though, making up a commercially successful franchise with basically zero critical acclaim.
    — Tyler Foggatt, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of acclaim
Noun
  • With wide sidewalks and a friendly park sandwiched in the middle, this is the city’s best stroll for window shopping, people watching, and sun worshiping.
    — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026
  • By the nail holes above and beside the worshiping altar, the household hung garlands.
    — Maria Mocerino, Interesting Engineering, 14 Feb. 2026
Definition of worshipping
Noun
  • The message underneath the flattery is more consequential since Somaliland is no longer simply making a historical or moral case for recognition.
    — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But Ridgeway pushes on, trying various means — flattery, insults, amateur psychology — to cajole her into delivering a new Ripley book.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of flattery

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Cite this Entry

“Adulation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adulation. Accessed 26 Sep. 2026.

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