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

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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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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 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 At Cannes, as with other festivals, the length of standing ovations is carefully tracked, and Gray jokingly tried to urge the audience to keep the adulation going, pointing to his watch. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 The crowd begged him to come out, tip his cap, take their adulation. — Paul Hardart, Fortune, 9 May 2026 The adulations heaped upon me at this point are getting nauseating. — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 7 Mar. 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
  • Part of that adoration comes from a high level of public awareness about wildlife and conservation in Tasmania, home to many endemic species found nowhere else in the world.
    — Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • Marylanders showed their adoration by naming Montgomery County for him.
    — Sarah M.S. Pearsall, The Conversation, 2 July 2026
Definition of adoration
Noun
  • Bobby Wilson was a pastor’s son who grew up idolizing the kind of R&B dudes who could wail a praise song and then hit up Freaknik afterwards (think Jodeci and H-Town).
    — Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 11 July 2026
  • Amassing 2 million views and widespread praise, these videos feature photorealistic AI versions of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, with stories set between *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*.
    — Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Definition of praise
Noun
  • Historically, the Catholic Church had denied religious funerals inside its houses of worship as well as traditional burials for those who died in this way.
    — Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Nearby are the Druidical worship sites of Avebury and Stonehenge; there is a Celtic burial ground hidden in one of Ashcombe's deep, romantic coombes.
    — Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 5 July 2026
Definition of worship
Noun
  • Christopher Nolan's *The Odyssey* has premiered to widespread acclaim, solidifying his unique standing in the film industry.
    — Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The Automated Ball-Strike system debuted this season to widespread acclaim.
    — Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 17 July 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
  • Sanghee, who has a day job importing snacks and shoots short films in her spare time, spends two days with the family as old secrets, unsolicited advice and hollow flattery come to the surface.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 July 2026
  • Rutte’s approach of using flattery to win over the president prompted some to question whether this had delivered any tangible benefits for the alliance.
    — Sam Meredith, CNBC, 9 July 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 18 Jul. 2026.

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