as in praise
excessive praise
the piano instructor believes in encouraging her students but avoids any overpraise that might make them complacent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to praise
to praise too much
proud parents are likely to overpraise their children for their earnest efforts at making handicrafts
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of overpraise
Armond White, National Review, 24 May 2023
He’s overpraised of course.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 16 Mar. 2023
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
Our praise reflex leans toward the superlative in this dank information age, an era when the only artists who transcend the digital noise seem to be the ones whose music gets overpraised on social media for being the most this or the best that.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023
Vincent Canby’s review in The New York Times seemed hesitant to overpraise the film, which was based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel of the same name.
—New York Times, 2 June 2021
Verb
Know-nothings pretend that Schrader’s Bressonian mannerisms reveal the spiritual depths of contemporary crisis, when, in fact, Master Gardener repeats the same social-collapse paranoia that made secular reviewers overpraise the religious, racial, suicide-bomber topics of First Reformed.
—Armond White, National Review, 24 May 2023
He’s overpraised of course.
—Nick Laird, The New York Review of Books, 16 Mar. 2023
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
Our praise reflex leans toward the superlative in this dank information age, an era when the only artists who transcend the digital noise seem to be the ones whose music gets overpraised on social media for being the most this or the best that.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 20 Feb. 2023
Vincent Canby’s review in The New York Times seemed hesitant to overpraise the film, which was based on James Leo Herlihy’s 1965 novel of the same name.
—New York Times, 2 June 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for overpraise
Noun
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Di Gregorio is joined in the cast by Greta Scarano (Suburra), who also won praise for her feature directorial debut La Vita Da Grandi, as the daughter, and Game of Thrones star Tom Wlaschiha, as her cheating husband who walks from Germany to Rome in search of forgiveness.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
7 Aug. 2025
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Ahead is the chance to earn more than praise as part of the front five.—
Oliver Thomas,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Whitmer, in turn, has commended Hall for putting forward a road funding plan after years of legislative inaction.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
7 Aug. 2025
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The group’s president and CEO, Kim Glas, commended Trump for leveraging his presidential authority on the matter.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Its flattery is intended to keep people engaged and coming back for more.—
Russell Shaw,
The Atlantic,
11 July 2025
-
Imitation is supposed to be the sincerest form of flattery.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 June 2025
Verb
-
For the second time in six months, captain Virgil van Dijk and his team-mates stood watching and applauding as the silverware was presented at Wembley.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
11 Aug. 2025
-
Many livestream commenters have applauded Conicent for its work, however, and shared public messages of encouragement.—
Leslie Katz,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
From the outside, that might seem a funny outlook for the leader of a band that’s been on the ascent since dropping their 2023 debut LP, Life Under the Gun, to the acclaim of, well, just about everyone.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
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Lopez, who currently resides in a $9.4 million, 9,300-square-foot La Cañada Flintridge home with his wife Courtney and their three children, achieved widespread acclaim with the role of popular high school jock A.C. Slater on the 1990s sitcom Saved by the Bell.—
Wendy Bowman,
Robb Report,
11 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Several celebrities, including Olivia Jade and Poppy Delevingne, congratulated the couple in Talita's Instagram comments section.—
Ashlyn Robinette,
People.com,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The Prince of Wales then took to the field to congratulate the team, shaking hands with England player Michelle Agyemang and offering her warm congratulations.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
27 July 2025
Noun
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Piled high into a thick, split-top bun, the tender chunks of lobster meat are mixed with a just-right amount of mayo (or with warm butter, if that’s your preference) and served with potato chips.—
Betsy Cribb Watson,
Southern Living,
16 Aug. 2025
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The seasonal menu leans into Southern ingredients and sustainability, with dishes like Carolina trout with lemon-dill butter or seared scallops over risotto.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Those harmonies — simultaneously honeyed and gravelly, providing just enough support without overshadowing, yet so powerful and full of potential — echoes Whitten.—
Angie Martoccio,
Rolling Stone,
2 July 2024
-
Enjoy flavored nuts, such as those that are candied, glazed, or honied, in moderation.—
Selene Yeager,
Health,
24 Feb. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Overpraise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/overpraise. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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