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 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
  • Someone could see your value and potential, and perhaps offer you praise or an opportunity of sorts, but your schedule could be maxed out.
    — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Clinton was one of many women in national politics sharing their praise and gratitude for Steinem.
    — Rachel Treisman, NPR, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of praise
Noun
  • Koeckeritz argued that a paved parking lot is an essential accessory to its main function — worship — not the principal use of the property across the street from the towering cathedral.
    — Mark Dee, Idaho Statesman, 3 Sep. 2026
  • One was a Mercy Culture Church and For Liberty and Justice worship gathering calling for Jesus to come to Tarrant County.
    — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of worship
Noun
  • Lucien Smith, a multidisciplinary artist who garnered national acclaim in the 2010s, has died at 37.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026
  • For decades, Okonedo has worked consistently and to great acclaim.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 10 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 best form of flattery is imitation, and Robert Pattinson does an incredible impression of Chris Hansen for A24’s new movie, Primetime.
    — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Told that imitation is the highest form of flattery, Steele guffaws.
    — Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 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 12 Sep. 2026.

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