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fulsome

adjective

ˈfu̇l-səm How to pronounce fulsome (audio)
Definition of fulsomenext
1
as in sickening
overly or insincerely flattering the player's fulsome praise for the coach showed just how hard he was trying to be named captain of the team

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2
as in generous
giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation grateful survivors who were fulsome in their praise of the rescue team

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in ugly
causing intense displeasure, disgust, or resentment the author perpetuates some truly fulsome stereotypes in her novel

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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 fulsome Jefferson could be quite fulsome on this point. — Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026 DeSantis, who signed the law in the Republican stronghold of The Villages in Central Florida, was joined by several other Republicans who touted its provisions, warned about potential threats to election integrity, and offered fulsome praise of the governor. — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026 As Warsh interpreted it, modern central banking is not only about setting policy but also about presenting outcomes as the result of fulsome deliberation. — Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026 Johnson, an ally of the Jacksons, wrote a fulsome tribute that nodded to Jackson’s ascent in Chicago, from building up the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization to founding the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. — Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for fulsome
Recent Examples of Synonyms for fulsome
  1. sickening
  2. generous
  3. ugly
  4. gushy
  5. charitable
  6. disgusting
  7. abundant
  8. awful
Adjective
  • That is one of the most shocking moments of the series, apart from some of the twists and turns towards the end, and probably the most sickening.
    — Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Everyone felt the sickening harsh reality that this had happened on our sovereign soil and that it was meant to be an affront to everyone who felt pride in being an American.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sickening
Adjective
  • The baseline of drinks included here is pretty generous, from coffee and soft drinks, to cocktails and wine.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Her makeup is both fresh-faced and warm, with a hint of glowy—not shimmery—bronze on her cheeks and lids, and a generous dose of mascara without any discernible liner.
    — Marci Robin, Allure, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of generous
Adjective
  • In 2022, the Dolphins were mired in a five-game losing streak late in the season and somehow found a way to scratch out an ugly victory against the New York Jets, 11-6, in the finale to earn a wildcard playoff berth.
    — Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 24 Sep. 2026
  • As climate change continues to rear its ugly head, this summer has been particularly brutal for much of the planet.
    — Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of ugly
Adjective
  • But something about the Ferris wheel, summer sunsets and general overindulgence convinced me that Wisconsin State Fair might just be the perfect place for romantic declarations, first dates, and altogether gushy moments.
    — Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Except for the unfettered devotion in the latter is replaced by swooping strings and a gushy chorus that merely offer an antiseptic veneer.
    — Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 June 2026
Definition of gushy
Adjective
  • Though there are multiple interpretations of sharia, its essence is to serve as a code for how Muslims should live and worship — covering such matters as prayer, pilgrimages, fasting, charitable donations and personal virtue.
    — David Crary, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Here are some key things to know about the charitable deduction for 2026.
    — Kate Dore, CFP®, EA, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of charitable
Adjective
  • The better to act out empire’s idea of what disgusting demonic sickness looks like.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026
  • These guys are disgusting over the radio in the heat of battle.
    — Zach Dean OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of disgusting
Adjective
  • Later that day, The Times asked visitors to share their impressions of a museum that, until now, has lived largely in the imaginations of fans and in abundant social media posts online.
    — Laura Zornosa, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026
  • According to the Burke Museum, passenger pigeons were once the most abundant bird in North America, numbering in the billions and accounting for close to 40% of the continent’s land birds when European settlers arrived in the 19th century.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of abundant
Adjective
  • On Saturday in Orlando playing against a Central Florida team that was without its starting quarterback and three other starters, TCU was awful in a 21-13 loss in the Big 12 opener for both teams.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Nicky Lopez, Brett Phillips, Tim Hill and Mike Moustakas spent stints in an awful 2024 season that saw the White Sox set an MLB record with 121 losses.
    — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of awful

Browse Nearby Words

fulminations
fulsome
fumble
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Cite this Entry

“Fulsome.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/fulsome. Accessed 28 Sep. 2026.

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